UCLA vs. Tennessee Prediction: Can UCLA Stun Chaz Lanier, Volunteers on Saturday Night in Round of 32?
The Tennessee Volunteers will take on the UCLA Bruins on Saturday night in the Round of 32. UCLA isn't receiving a lot of chatter, but are just 5-point underdogs against a vaunted Tennessee team. Can they surprise Chaz Lanier and the Vols tonight? Christian Odjakjian is backing the Bruins in his UCLA vs. Tennessee prediction and pick against the spread for March Madness Second Round.
Christian Odjakjian - March 22, 2025, 6:33 PM EDT
4 minUCLA vs. Tennessee Prediction: Can UCLA Stun Chaz Lanier, Volunteers on Saturday Night in Round of 32?
No. 2 seed Tennessee and No. 7 seed UCLA face off tonight in Lexington, Kentucky. Both teams took care of business Thursday without too much of a sweat.
Tennessee defeated Wofford 77-62, fueled by 29 points and six three-pointers from Chaz Lanier, plus 12 points and 12 assists from Zakai Zeigler. As a team, Tennessee shot 62% from inside the arc and relied on its elite defense to make life difficult for Wofford, a SOCON opponent.
UCLA put a beating on Utah State in its round of 64 matchup, winning 72-47. The Aggies' zone was no match for UCLA, which put together a balanced team effort. UCLA shot 10-24 from deep as a team, hitting at 42%, and six players scored between 8-14 points. Utah State, meanwhile, shot a measly 4-31 from long range.
The total for this game opened at 128 and has been bet up to 131.5. This should be an intense halfcourt battle between two elite defenses. Tennessee ranks as the 3rd-best defensive unit on KenPom, while UCLA checks in at 15th.
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UCLA vs. Tennessee Odds
- Spread: UCLA +5.5 (-110), Tennessee -5.5 (-110)
- Total: Over 155.5 (-110), Under 155.5 (-110)
- Moneyline: UCLA +185, Tennessee -225
UCLA vs. Tennessee Date, Time, and Where to Watch
- Date: Saturday, March 22, 2025
- Time: 9:40 PM ET
- How to Watch: TBS
Click here for latest UCLA vs. Tennessee Odds
UCLA vs. Tennessee Prediction
Offensively, Tennessee ranks 17th to UCLA’s 35th. While the Volunteers are on paper a better offensive team, here’s why I think UCLA will have an easier time scoring tonight.
Tennessee’s offense is heavily reliant on two things: Chaz Lanier’s shot-making and Zeigler creating or scoring off dribble penetration. At times, it feels like every possession where Lanier doesn’t get a shot up is a win for the defense—he’s that good. Mick Cronin’s defense has been impressive lately. UCLA has lost only four games in the last two months, and in three of those, its opponent shot 40% or better from deep. Cronin will go deep into his bench and has plenty of good defenders to throw at Lanier. If they can keep him in check, it changes everything for Tennessee, and I think UCLA has a great chance of doing so.
Tennessee is a physical and connected defensive team. Against certain opponents, they can make it nearly impossible to get clean looks. A game that stood out recently was what the Vols did to Texas star freshman Tre Johnson in the SEC Tournament, holding him to 11 points. Tennessee—and Jahmai Mashack specifically—is so strong and physical that it can make dribble penetration nearly impossible.
That plays into UCLA’s favor. The Bruins also prefer a slower pace and operate heavily out of the mid-post with players like Tyler Bilodeau and Eric Dailey. UCLA isn’t flashy offensively, but its methodical, old-school halfcourt attack neutralizes some of Tennessee’s defensive strengths. The Vols thrive on shutting down teams that rely on ball screens and dribble creation, but UCLA doesn’t fit that mold.
Another note worth mentioning: there should be plenty of Volunteer fans in attendance, as this game is just 2.5 hours from Knoxville.
At the end of the day, with two teams that mirror each other stylistically and are both playing well, I prefer UCLA’s offensive balance. Given the Bruins’ ability to avoid the ball-screen-heavy approach that Tennessee typically feasts on defensively, I see them keeping this close. Taking the points with UCLA is the move here.
UCLA vs. Tennessee Pick
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