UCLA Bruins vs Michigan State Spartans Prediction, 3/18/2021 College Basketball Pick, Tips and Odds

Game: UCLA Bruins vs Michigan State Spartans

Date: Thursday, March 18, 2021

Location: Mackey Arena in West Lafayette, IN

TV: TBS

Odds/Point Spread: UCLA (-1)

The UCLA Bruins (17-9) travel to Mackey Arena on Thursday where they'll take on the Michigan State Spartans (15-12) in the NCAA Tournament. The spread on this matchup has UCLA as 1-point favorites. The O/U opens at 137.5.

UCLA will enter this matchup with a record of 17-9 this year. The Bruins are shooting 36.7% on shots from beyond the arc (173 of 471) and 72.1% from the charity stripe. They currently have an average of 72.8 points per game (131st in college basketball) while going 46.2% from the field. They turn the ball over 11.2 times per game and as a group they commit 16.0 fouls per game. As a team, UCLA is pulling down 35.0 rebounds per game and has earned 354 dimes this year, which ranks 95th in the nation in terms of passing. When they are on defense, the Bruins are forcing 11.8 turnovers every game and they draw 18.3 fouls. The Bruins are giving up a field goal percentage of 43.9% (640 of 1,459) and they relinquish 30.8 rebounds per game as a unit. They currently rank 200th in college basketball in giving up assists with 316 surrendered this year. They are giving up 35.1% on 3-point shots while they are 121st in college basketball in PPG allowed (68.5).

The UCLA Bruins faced off with the Oregon State Beavers and went home with a loss by a final score of 83-79 in their last game. UCLA walked away from the game with a 42.9% field goal percentage (27 out of 63) and made 5 out of their 20 3-point attempts. At the charity stripe, the Bruins converted 20 of 27 attempts for a percentage of 74.1%. In the matter of pulling down boards, they earned 40 with 14 of them being of the offensive sort. They also distributed 8 assists for the matchup while forcing the other team into 11 turnovers and earning 5 steals. In the matter of defense, UCLA let their opponent shoot 42.4% from the field on 25 of 59 shooting. Oregon State doled out 13 assists and had 9 steals in this contest. Additionally, Oregon State grabbed 30 rebounds (8 offensive, 22 defensive) and earned 2 rejections. Oregon State finished the contest at 79.3% at the free throw line by burying 23 of 29 tries. They also converted 10 of their 25 shots from distance.

Jules Bernard is one guy who was a major contributor in this contest. He notched 19 points on 7 out of 13 shooting. He was on the court for 38 mins and grabbed 10 rebounds. Bernard finished the contest at 53.8% from the field and also dished out 1 assist. Another guy that was a determining factor in this contest for the Bruins was Johnny Juzang. He collected 2 rebounds in his 24 min on the basketball court. He walked away from this one shooting 50.0% from the field in the matchup by going 5-of-10 (12 points). When the game finished, Juzang earned 1 assist.

Michigan State has a win-loss record of 15-12 for the campaign. The Spartans are committing 19.8 personal fouls per game while shooting 72.1% from the charity stripe. They are earning an assist 15.9 times per contest (38th in D-1) and they are turning it over 13.0 times per game. Michigan State has scored 1,864 points for the season (69.0 per game) and they snag 37.6 boards per contest. When it comes to offense, the Spartans are hitting on 42.4% from the field, which has them ranked 266th in the nation. The Spartans are ranked 187th in college hoops in points given up per game with 70.6. They have surrendered 13.3 assists and 34.3 rebounds on a nightly basis, which is 208th and 145th in D-1. The Michigan State defense surrenders 31.5% on shots from beyond the arc (167 of 530) and opponents are connecting on 71.5% of their free throw attempts. They are forcing 10.6 turnovers on a nightly basis and allow teams to shoot 42.5% from the floor (140th in college hoops).

The last time they took the court, the Michigan State Spartans took a defeat with a final score of 68-57 when they faced the Maryland Terrapins. The Spartans corralled 28 defensive rebounds and 8 offensive rebounds totaling 36 for the contest. They turned it over 18 times, while earning 7 steals for this contest. The Terrapins were called for 19 fouls for this contest which got the Spartans to the charity stripe for a total of 18 tries. They were able to make 9 of them for a clip of 50.0%. Pertaining to shots from distance, Michigan State converted 4 of their 16 tries (25.0%). At the conclusion of this game, the Spartans went 22 for 53 from the floor which had them shooting 41.5%. The Spartans permitted the Terrapins to make 21 of their 55 attempts from the field which gave them a rate of 38.2% for the matchup. They finished 30.0% from distance by connecting on 6 of 20 and ended up going 20 of 28 from the charity stripe (71.4%). In reference to rebounding, Michigan State permitted Maryland to collect 35 in all (10 offensive).

Malik Hall ended up having an impact for the Spartans for the game. He made 8 of 12 in the matchup giving him a field goal percentage of 66.7%, and had 5 rebounds. Hall had 19 points in his 23 minutes on the hardwood, but wasn't able to notch an assist. One more player who was a determining factor for Michigan State was Aaron Henry. He walked away with 3 assists in his 34 mins on the court, and he converted 5 out of 12 from the floor. Henry finished going 41.7% from the field in addition to earning 12 points and 9 total rebounds.

So what is Tonights Parlay prediction?

Parlay's Pundit's Pick: Take Michigan State (+1) and over 137.5 points

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