UCLA Bruins vs BYU Cougars Prediction, 3/20/2021 College Basketball Pick, Tips and Odds

Game: UCLA Bruins vs BYU Cougars

Date: Saturday, March 20, 2021

Location: Hinkle Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, IN

TV: CBS

Odds/Point Spread: UCLA (+2)

The BYU Cougars (20-6) play the UCLA Bruins (18-9) at Hinkle Fieldhouse on Saturday in the NCAA Tournament. The line on this contest has BYU as 2-point favorites. The total has been set at 139.

UCLA will enter this game with a record of 18-9 for the year. The Bruins are hitting 37.2% on shots from downtown (182 of 489) and 72.2% from the charity stripe. They have an average of 73.3 pts per game (120th in the nation) while hitting 46.2% from the floor. They are giving up possession 11.0 times per game and as a unit are committing 15.9 personal fouls per game. As a team, UCLA is pulling down 34.9 boards per game and is sitting with 367 dimes this season, which is 80th in Division 1 in terms of passing the ball. Defensively, the Bruins are forcing 11.9 turnovers every game and they draw 18.3 personal fouls. The Bruins are allowing a shooting percentage of 44.0% (669 of 1,520) and they concede 30.9 rebounds per game as a team. They currently rank 242nd in D-1 in allowing assists to the opposition with 332 conceded for the year. They are surrendering 35.1% on 3-point shots while they are 135th in college hoops in points per game from their opponents (68.9).

The UCLA Bruins faced the Michigan State Spartans and earned the victory with a final of 86-80 in their last contest. UCLA wrapped up the game with a 46.3% FG percentage (31 of 67) and buried 9 of 18 shots from beyond the arc. When they shot from the charity stripe, the Bruins knocked down 15 of their 20 attempts for a rate of 75.0%. Concerning rebounding, they earned 29 with 11 of them being on the offensive end. They also dished out 13 dimes in this game in addition to forcing the other team into 11 turnovers and earning 2 steals. When it comes to the defense, UCLA allowed the other team to shoot 47.5% from the field on 29 of 61 shooting. Michigan State distributed 16 assists and had 2 steals for the game. On top of that, Michigan State snagged 31 boards (10 offensive, 21 defensive) and earned 6 blocked shots. Michigan State walked away from this one shooting 88.9% when shooting free throws by making 16 of their 18 tries. They knocked down 6 out of their 18 tries from long range.

Jaime Jaquez is one player who was a major contributor for this game. He accounted for 27 points on 11 out of 20 shooting. He was on the hardwood for 45 minutes played and collected 4 rebounds. Jaquez finished shooting 55.0% from the floor and also distributed 2 assists. Someone else that was a major contributor in this matchup for the Bruins was Johnny Juzang. He grabbed 4 rebounds in his 41 minutes on the court. He finished the game at 45.0% from the field in this contest by going 9-of-20 (23 points). Overall, Juzang accounted for 2 assists.

BYU has a record of 20-6 for the campaign. BYU has accounted for 2,047 points this season (78.7 per contest) and they average 39.4 rebounds per contest. The Cougars commit 18.0 fouls per contest and they go 73.1% from the charity stripe. On the offensive side of the court, the Cougars are connecting on 48.2% from the field, which is ranked 33rd in the nation. They are dishing out assists 16.6 times per contest (17th in college hoops) and they are losing possession via turnover 13.3 times per contest. The Cougars on the defensive end are ranked 118th in the country in points given up per game with 68.5. They are forcing their opponents into 11.6 TO's every game and have let teams shoot 40.9% from the floor (51st in college basketball). The BYU defense allows 32.7% on shots from distance (180 of 551) and their opponents are knocking down 68.5% of their free throw shots. They give up 11.6 dimes and 32.5 rebounds per game, which is ranked 84th and 71st in those categories.

The last time they took the court, the BYU Cougars walked away from this one with a loss by a score of 88-78 when they played the Gonzaga Bulldogs. The Cougars recorded 26 defensive boards and 6 offensive rebounds for a total of 32 for the contest. They gave up possession of the ball 6 times, while recording 4 steals for this contest. The Bulldogs committed 11 personal fouls in this matchup which got the Cougars to the free throw line for a total of 7 attempts. They were able to make 5 of those for a rate of 71.4%. In regard to 3-point shots, BYU buried 11 of their 28 tries (39.3%). When all was said and done, the Cougars shot 31 for 67 from the field which gave them a rate of 46.3%. The Cougars allowed the Bulldogs to convert 29 out of their 57 attempts from the field which gave them a percentage of 50.9% in this matchup. They wrapped up this game 46.2% from three-point range by going 12 of 26 and finished the contest at 18 out of 27 from the free throw line (66.7%). Regarding attacking the glass, BYU allowed Gonzaga to snag 31 in total (4 offensive).

Alex Barcello was important for the Cougars in this game. He converted 6 out of 15 for the game giving him a field goal percentage of 40.0%, and accumulated 6 rebounds. Barcello tallied 15 points in his 34 mins of playing time and accumulated 4 dimes for the contest. An additional guy who came through for BYU was Matt Haarms. He finished with no assists in 25 mins on the court, and he shot 6 of 12 from the floor. Haarms ended the game having shot 50.0% from the field in addition to totaling 13 points and 4 rebounds.

So what is Tonights Parlay prediction?

Parlay's Pundit's Pick: Take BYU (-2) and over 139 points

Get $60 worth of FREE premium member picks. No Obligation. No Salesman. No Credit Card. Fast Sign up with Instant Access Click Here