Gonzaga vs UCLA March Madness Predictions 3/23

© James Snook-USA TODAY Sports

Game Preview: Gonzaga vs. UCLA - Men's College Basketball Sweet 16 Matchup

As we head into the Sweet 16, NCAA basketball fans are gearing up for what promises to be a thrilling matchup between the Gonzaga Bulldogs and the UCLA Bruins. This game will take place on March 23, 2023, and will be held at the Las Vegas arena. The experts have already begun weighing in with their ncaab picks computer and ncaab picks em predictions, and the excitement is palpable. The UCLA Bruins, ranked No. 7, have put up an impressive record of 31-5, with an 18-2 Pac-12 conference record. They also boast a record of 13-3 in non-conference play, making them a formidable force to be reckoned with. Moreover, UCLA has won two out of three one-possession games. The No. 9 Gonzaga Bulldogs, on the other hand, come into this matchup with a 30-5 record, having gone 14-2 in West Coast Conference action. The Bulldogs have scored an average of 87.3 points per game while outscoring opponents by an impressive 14.2 points per game. As we look at the matchup between these two teams, the key players to watch include Jaime Jaquez Jr., who has been averaging 17.5 points, 8.1 rebounds, and 1.5 steals for the Bruins, Tyger Campbell, who has averaged 15.9 points, 5.3 assists, and 1.7 steals over the past 10 games for UCLA, and Drew Timme, who has been averaging 21.1 points, 7.3 rebounds, and 3.1 assists for the Bulldogs. Both teams come into this matchup with impressive records over their last 10 games. The Bruins have won 9 out of 10 games, while the Bulldogs have remained unbeaten, winning all of their last 10 games. Betting enthusiasts are already pouring over ncaab today experts' predictions, searching for the best ncaab bets today, ncaab picks and parlays, ncaab picks for today, ncaab experts picks today, ncaab picks odds, and ncaab picks with spread. As the excitement builds for this Sweet 16 matchup, the stage is set for what promises to be an exciting and hard-fought battle between two top-ranked teams. Who will come out on top? Only time will tell, but one thing is for sure – this is not a game that NCAA basketball fans will want to miss.

Gonzaga: Offensive Analysis

As one of the best offensive teams in the nation, Gonzaga has the potential to dominate any opponent on the court. With a scoring average of 87.3 points per game and a winning margin of 14.2 points, the Bulldogs are a force to be reckoned with. Led by Drew Timme, who is averaging an impressive 21.1 points per game, Gonzaga has a deep and talented roster that can score from anywhere on the court. Against UCLA, the Bulldogs will need to be at their best to come out on top. The Bruins have a solid defense that has held opponents to an average of 63.8 points per game this season. Gonzaga will need to find ways to break down the UCLA defense and get good looks at the basket. The Bulldogs' ability to move the ball and find the open man will be crucial in this game. One of the keys to Gonzaga's success on offense is their shooting accuracy. The Bulldogs are shooting an impressive 54.3% from the field over their last 10 games. If they can continue to shoot at a high percentage, they will put themselves in a good position to win. Julian Strawther has been a standout player for Gonzaga recently, averaging 18.4 points per game over the last 10 games. In addition to their shooting, the Bulldogs are also a strong rebounding team. They are averaging 34.1 rebounds per game and have a rebounding margin of 7.3. If they can continue to dominate the boards against UCLA, they will be able to control the pace of the game and limit the Bruins' scoring opportunities. Overall, Gonzaga has the offensive firepower to win this game. However, they will need to be disciplined and execute their game plan to perfection in order to come out on top. With the help of ncaab picks experts, ncaab picks computer, ncaab picks em predictions, ncaab today experts, ncaab picks, ncaab picks and parlay, ncaab experts picks today, best ncaab bets today, ncaab picks with spread, ncaab predictions today, ncaab picks for today, ncaab picks odds, nba ncaab picks and parlays, ncaab picks today, Gonzaga will be hoping to make it to the Elite Eight with their offensive prowess.

Gonzaga: Defensive Analysis

When it comes to defense, the Gonzaga Bulldogs are a force to be reckoned with. Throughout the entire season, Gonzaga has held their opponents to an average of just 69.1 points per game - the 77th best in the nation. However, it's important to note that some of their weaker defensive performances have come against tougher opponents, so they'll need to bring their A-game against UCLA in the Sweet 16. One of the key aspects of Gonzaga's defense is their ability to rebound the ball. The Bulldogs average 37.4 rebounds per game, with Drew Timme pulling down an average of 7.3 rebounds per game himself. This will come in handy against a UCLA team that averages 39.1 rebounds per game - the 16th best in the nation. Another strength of Gonzaga's defense is their ability to force turnovers. They average 7.5 steals per game, with Jalen Suggs leading the way with 2.2 steals per game. UCLA averages 12.5 turnovers per game, and if Gonzaga can capitalize on those mistakes, they'll be able to create some much-needed separation on the scoreboard. Finally, Gonzaga's length and athleticism allow them to contest shots and limit their opponents' shooting percentages. The Bulldogs hold their opponents to just 41.5% shooting from the field and 31.1% from beyond the arc - both among the top 100 in the nation. However, UCLA ranks in the top 50 in both categories, so the Gonzaga defense will have to be on point to limit the Bruins' scoring opportunities. Overall, Gonzaga's defense is a major asset to their team and will be crucial in their matchup against UCLA. If they can rebound the ball, force turnovers, and limit the Bruins' shooting percentage, they'll be in good shape to advance to the Elite Eight.

UCLA: Offense Analysis

Unfortunately, the UCLA Bruins' offense has been inconsistent throughout the season, and this trend is unlikely to change in their upcoming Sweet 16 game against the Gonzaga Bulldogs. While the Bruins have managed to put up decent numbers against Pac-12 opponents, their record in non-conference play has been mediocre at best. Furthermore, their reliance on one-possession games has put them in some precarious situations, which could be costly against a powerhouse team like Gonzaga. Jaime Jaquez Jr. and Tyger Campbell have been the Bruins' standout players this season, but their efforts may not be enough to overcome Gonzaga's formidable defense. On the other hand, the Bulldogs have been ruthless in their scoring, averaging over 87 points per game while holding opponents to just 73.1 points. Drew Timme and Julian Strawther have been phenomenal on offense, averaging over 20 and 18 points per game, respectively. In terms of ncaab picks, experts and computer algorithms are likely to favor Gonzaga in this matchup due to their consistent track record and impressive stats. NCAAB picks with spread may also favor Gonzaga, as their defense has been incredibly effective in stopping opposing teams. It is also worth noting that Gonzaga has cruised through their last ten games, averaging almost 90 points per game, which means UCLA's defense will have a difficult time stopping them. Overall, while UCLA's offense is solid, it is simply not enough to stand up to Gonzaga's dominant performance this season. The best UCLA can hope for is to keep the game close, but the odds do not seem to be in their favor, especially when considering ncaab predictions and ncaab picks today. Fans of the Bruins can only hope that their team defies the odds and pulls off an upset against the Bulldogs, but it seems unlikely. Therefore, the best ncaab picks and parlays would likely include Gonzaga to win this game with relative ease.

UCLA: Defensive Analysis

The UCLA Bruins have been one of the strongest defensive teams in the NCAA this season, and they will need to maintain their defensive focus if they hope to advance past the Sweet 16. UCLA has held opponents to an average of just 65.4 points per game this season, which ranks them 36th in the country in that category. The Bruins' defense is led by junior guard Jaime Jaquez Jr., who has been one of the team's top performers on both ends of the court this season. Jaquez Jr. is averaging 1.5 steals per game, which is tops on the team, and he has also contributed to UCLA's strong rebounding effort with 8.1 rebounds per game. Jaquez Jr. will need to continue to be a defensive force if UCLA wants to slow down Gonzaga's high-powered offense. Another key defensive contributor for the Bruins is senior guard Jules Bernard, who has been a lockdown defender for UCLA all season. Bernard is averaging 0.7 steals per game and has consistently made it difficult for opposing guards to find space to operate. If Bernard can continue to frustrate Gonzaga's guards, it will go a long way towards helping UCLA come away with the win. The Bruins will also need to focus on their defensive rebounding if they want to limit Gonzaga's second-chance opportunities. UCLA is averaging 35.1 rebounds per game this season, which is solid but not elite, and they will need to up their effort on the glass if they hope to keep the Bulldogs from getting too many easy buckets. Overall, UCLA's defense has been one of the key reasons for their success this season, and they will need to maintain their defensive focus if they hope to knock off a talented Gonzaga squad. Look for Jaquez Jr. and Bernard to lead the way defensively for the Bruins in this crucial Sweet 16 matchup.

Injury Report

Both the Gonzaga Bulldogs and the UCLA Bruins are heading into the Sweet 16 matchup relatively healthy. However, there are a few players who are still nursing some injuries. For Gonzaga, freshman guard Dominick Harris has been out since early February with a knee injury and is unlikely to return for this game. Also, senior forward Anton Watson has been dealing with a shoulder injury, but he has played through it in the past few games and is expected to play in this game as well. On the UCLA side, there are no significant injuries to report. The team has been playing with a full roster and will likely continue to do so in this game. Overall, the injury report does not seem to favor either team significantly. Both teams will be playing with their usual lineups, which should make for an exciting and competitive game. When making your ncaab picks for this game, it is important to take into account the injury report but also consider other factors such as the teams' recent form, head-to-head records, and the strength of their opponents. You can consult ncaab picks experts, ncaab picks computer, or ncaab experts picks today to get some insights and data-driven predictions. Good luck with your ncaab picks and parlay, and enjoy the game! 

Betting Trends

When it comes to NCAA basketball betting trends, Gonzaga vs. UCLA is one of the most exciting games to bet on. For this Sweet 16 matchup, both teams have impressive records that can be compared based on their performances in recent games. NCAAB picks experts are favoring Gonzaga with a 70% chance of winning, while UCLA has a 30% chance of taking the victory. However, the UCLA Bruins are favored by 2 points according to Las Vegas oddsmakers. This means that if you bet on the Bruins, they must win by at least 2 points for you to cash in on your bet. On the other hand, if you bet on Gonzaga, they can win or lose by up to 1 point and you can still win your bet. Looking at ncaab picks computer predictions, the over/under for this matchup is set at 145.5 points. This means you could place a bet on the total points scored during the game being over or under that number. NBA ncaab picks and parlays are also favoring Gonzaga with a strong record of 10-0 in their last 10 games. Gonzaga is also known for their high-scoring games, averaging 87.3 points per game and outscoring their opponents by 14.2 points per game. Overall, there are several different ncaab predictions today, but the best ncaab bets today for this game may be to bet on Gonzaga to win or bet on the over for total points scored. However, with both teams having strong performances in their last 10 games, this Sweet 16 matchup could be anyone's game, making it a highly anticipated event for NCAA basketball fans and bettors alike.

Prediction: Gonzaga vs. UCLA

This matchup is sure to be a thrilling one between two talented teams. While UCLA has had an impressive season with a strong record in both conference and non-conference play, Gonzaga has been nothing short of dominant all year, boasting a 30-5 overall record and winning their conference with ease. Despite UCLA's prowess, Gonzaga's offensive firepower and consistently outstanding defense make them the team to beat in this matchup. Drew Timme has been a standout player for the Bulldogs all season and will undoubtedly come up big in this game. While UCLA certainly has weapons of their own in Jaime Jaquez Jr. and Tyger Campbell, they simply won't be able to keep up with Gonzaga's relentless scoring.

Pick: Gonzaga (+2)

While UCLA may be favored in this matchup, taking Gonzaga with the spread is the smart choice. Expect them to come out strong and make a statement in this Sweet 16 game. ----- Experts' nba picks with spread and predictions nba today, NCAA Men's Basketball Sweet 16 Matchup