March Madness betting sites favor the home team by 6.5 points when the UCLA Bruins and Alabama Crimson Tide play on Sunday in the college basketball NCAA Tournament Sweet 16 at the Hinkle Fieldhouse. Both Alabama (26-6 SU, 18-13-1 ATS) and UCLA (20-9 SU, 15-14 ATS) have had somewhat easy passages to the Sweet 16.
No. 11 UCLA had its biggest challenge in a First Four game versus Michigan State. They won by six points. Then they took care of BYU and Abilene Christian by double digits. No. 2 Alabama crushed Iona and Maryland in its first two games.
According to the best online sportsbooks, Alabama opened as a six-point fave against UCLA. The line has remained at that number. The total opened at 143.5. It has jumped to 145.5, though the Crimson Tide and Bruins have a combined record of 8-3 to the UNDER in their last 11 games.
UCLA vs. Alabama March Madness Odds by MyBookie.ag
| Team | SP/RL | TOTAL | ML | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| UCLA | +6½ (-110) | 145½ (-110) | +220 |  |
| Alabama | -6½ (-110) | 145½ (-110) | -260 | |
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Betting UCLA Bruins
The Bruins are road dogs per March Madness betting sites. Following an upset of BYU in the Round of 64, the Bruins breezed to the Sweet 16 with a 67-47 win over Abilene Christian. They shot 47% from the field and Johnny Juzang led with17 points.
Mick Cronin, the Bruins second year head coach, has already made some waves for this program. They are now looking for their fourth consecutive win in the NCAA Tourney. The Bruins finished the regular season ranked 34th in the nation in three-point shooting. They were 26th in defensive rebounding.
The UCLA Bruins average 72.6 points on 46.3% shooting. They allow 67.9 points on 43.9% shooting. Johnny Juzang averages 15 points and 4.2 rebounds. Chris Smith averages 12.6 points and 6.4 rebounds.
Jaime Jaquez Jr. is the third double-digit scorer. Jules Bernard averages 1.4 assists. The UCLA Bruins shoot 37.3% from beyond the arc and 72% from the free throw line. The UCLA Bruins allow 34.9% shooting from deep. They grab 32.7 rebounds per game.
Betting Alabama Crimson Tide
The Tide is favored by March Madness betting sites. The Crimson Tide are fresh off an outstanding offensive display against a strong defensive team. They torched Maryland for 16 threes and 48.5% shooting from long range in their 96-77 win on Monday.
Sophomore guard Jaden Shackelford averages a team-best 14.3 points per game. He led the way with 21 points against the Terrapins. John Petty had 20. Shackelford and Petty are two of four players with double-digit point averages for the Alabama offensive. Nate Oats is also in his second year as head coach. With him, the Crimson Tide had their best record since the 1986 season.
The Alabama Crimson Tide average 79.6 points on 43.1% shooting. They allow 70.3 points on 40.9% shooting. Jaden Shackelford averages 14.1 points and 3.8 rebounds. Jahvon Quinerly averages 12.6 points and 2.9 assists.
John Petty Jr. is the third double-digit scorer. Herbert Jones grabs 6.5 rebounds. The Alabama Crimson Tide shoot 35.5% from beyond the arc and 71.5% from the free throw line. The Alabama Crimson Tide allow 29% shooting from deep. They grab 36.1 rebounds per game.
UCLA vs. Alabama March Madness Picks
The Alabama Crimson Tide have looked on point in their first two games. They’re coming off a game against Maryland where the offense could do no wrong. UCLA has to like its chances, if not its odds, should the Crimson Tide bring the defensive effort they did against Maryland.
UCLA is one of the top offensive teams in the tournament, and a top-40 team shooting from the distance. The PAC-12 has also been profitable. They have won and covered game like it ain’t no thang. Take the points with the Bruins.
