Defensive-minded squads meet when Tennessee takes on UCLA for a chance to reach the Sweet 16. The Volunteers controlled their game against Wofford on Thursday, winning by a score of 77-62. Later in the day, the Bruins delivered a commanding win of their own, defeating Utah State 72-47.
Tennessee enters this contest as 5.5-point favorites, with the over/under set at 130.5 points on DraftKings Sportsbook.
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Betting Splits
The moneyline handle is a near-even split, with 54% going towards UCLA. However, 85% of all bets are going towards the Volunteers. That means the sharp money is leaning heavily in favor of the Bruins.
It’s a similar story when looking at the spread. 79% of all bets expect UT to win this contest by at least five points. A less drastic 63% expect Tennessee to cover. As an underdog, UCLA is 4-4 against the spread. The Volunteers are 14-15 against the spread as a favorite this season.
Both of these squads pride themselves on stifling opposing offenses. Tennessee ranks third in adjusted defensive efficiency per KenPom (89.6), while UCLA is 15th (94.1). Therefore, it’s no surprise the line has been set at just 131.5 points. The public is overwhelmingly favoring the over, with just 15% of the handle and 8% of all bets expecting a low-scoring affair.
Most Popular Player Props
Here are the three player props in tonight’s matchup receiving the most bets:
- Chaz Lanier 18+ points (+105)
- Chaz Lanier 15+ points (-210)
- Kobe Johnson 2+ three-pointers made (+130)
Bettors are invested into the performance of Tennessee’s Chaz Lanier. The guard currently leads the team with 18.0 points per game on 43.8% shooting from the field. The senior has scored at least 15 points in seven of his last ten outings. That includes a terrific 29-point performance against Wofford on Wednesday. Getting buckets against UCLA’s defense is a different challenge, but Lanier’s recent play is difficult to ignore.
If the Bruins have any shot at securing the upset, they’ll need to shoot well from outside. While UCLA has several players capable of knocking down threes, Kobe Johnson is getting the most attention from bettors. The forward has connected on six of his last ten attempts from beyond the arc. He’ll look to keep that trend alive tonight against a tenacious Tennessee perimeter defense.
