UCLA Heavily Betting Favored over UNC Asheville First Four Game Picks

First place in the Pac-12 regular season race went to the UCLA Bruins.  UCLA breezed to the league title with ease over the Arizona Wildcats.  However, in the Pac-12 Tournament, Arizona got revenge with a win over the Bruins in the championship game.  UCLA was a favorite of gamblers this season for its reliable March Madness betting value.  But the loss against their top challenger reminded them that nothing could be assumed or taken for granted.  Now comes the true campaign for the Bruins.  At UCLA, it’s Final Four or bust.

UNC Asheville vs. UCLA CashBet Wagering Analysis

UCLA is the much bigger brand and name in this matchup.  Although UNC Asheville provided good sportsbook odds value this year, they lack the blue blood cache of UCLA.

UNC Asheville Powers Out of Big South  

The UNC Asheville Bulldogs are 24-7 straight up, 16-12-1 against the spread, and 16-13 over/under the total.  Overall, UNC Asheville has national rankings of 102^nd for scoring offense, 21^st for field goal percentage, 6^th for 3-point field goal percentage, 289^th for free throw percentage, and 175^th for offensive rebounding.  In turn, on defense, the Bulldogs have national rankings of 140^th for scoring defense, 79^th for field goal percentage permitted, 10^th for 3-point field goal percentage allowed, and 158^th for defensive rebounding.

UNC Asheville won the Big South championship.  The Bulldogs got the 2023 March Madness Betting cash in five of their previous seven games.  Also, UNC Asheville went under the total in two of its last three games.  Drew Pember leads the Bulldogs with 21.2 points and 9.4 rebounds per contest.

Bruins Seen as Final Four Threat

Overall, the UCLA Bruins are 27-4 straight up, 18-12-1 against the spread, and 15-16 over/under the total.  UCLA has national rankings of 119^th for scoring offense, 84^th for field goal percentage, 149^th for 3-point field goal percentage, 176^th for free throw percentage, and 120^th for offensive rebounding.  While on defense, UCLA has national rankings of 7^th for scoring defense, 31^st for field goal percentage permitted, 45^th for 3-point field goal percentage allowed, and 50^th for defensive rebounding.

UCLA got the bet on NCAA basketball cash in four of its final five games.  The Bruins went under the total in three of their final five tilts.  Jaime Jaquez leads UCLA with 17.3 points and 8.1 rebounds per contest.

Courtney Ramey had missed all four of his previous 3-point attempts against UCLA in the Pac-12 championship game.  But the ball returned to his hands at the most critical moment.  And then Ramey shook a defender and calmly drilled one from the top of the key with 16.7 seconds left to put Arizona in front.  The eighth-ranked Wildcats hung on from there.  Arizona beat No. 2 UCLA 61-59 in the Pac-12 championship game.

Ramey’s 3-pointer put the Wildcats ahead 60-58.  In turn, the clutch shot came after teammate Azuolas Tubelis missed a three rebounded by Pelle Larsson, who got the ball to Ramey.

UCLA guard Tyger Campbell was fouled with 6.8 seconds left.  Campbell made the first free throw but missed the second. Tubelis hit one of two free throws with 5.8 seconds to go.  While UCLA’s Dylan Andrews missed a three at the buzzer to ensure Arizona’s victory.

Indeed, the Wildcats boosted their case for a No. 2 seed in the NCAA Tournament.  UCLA still hoped to land the No. 1 seed in the West and return to Las Vegas in two weeks for the regional.  But this loss to Arizona blew that dream up.  Arizona beat UCLA in the Pac-12 title game for the second year in a row.  Furthermore, Arizona second-year coach Tommy Lloyd is 9-0 in this city, 8-0 at T-Mobile Arena and 6-0 in the Pac-12 Tournament.

UNC Ashezille vs. UCLA CashBet Free Pick   

In this situation, UCLA is overpriced against a tough but underrated opponent.  UN C Asheville offers more 2023 March Madness Betting value.

UNC Asheville vs. UCLA CashBet Best Bet

UNC Asheville