Categories
Sports

Tulsa Golden Hurricane vs. UCLA Bruins Gambling & NCAA Handicapping Prediction

NCAA Tournament – Golden Hurricane vs Bruins Pick

The UCLA Bruins finished second in the Pac-12 during the regular season and first in the Pac-12 Tournament. As a result, they’ve drawn the Tulsa Golden Hurricane in the second round of the Big Dance. [ad-4468020]

2014 NCAA Tournament Free Picks
No. 13 Tulsa (21-12, 13-3 C-USA) vs. No. 4 UCLA (26-8, 12-6 Pac-12)
Friday, March 21 9:57 PM ET TruTV
South Region – Second Round
Spread:UCLA -9 / OU: 151
[dfads params=’groups=63740&limit=1&return_javascript=0′]

ATS Matchup Insight | CP Insider Gambling Preview

The No. 4 Bruins and No. 13 Golden Hurricane have been placed in the South Region and will face off at 9:57 p.m. ET on Friday, March 21.

Tulsa

Tulsa’s chances in this game start and end with James Woodard.

The sophomore guard averaged 15.7 points and 5.8 rebounds while shooting 38.9 percent from the three-point line in the regular season, and his performance in the Conference USA Tournament proved that he can be a big-time player in big-time games.

*CLICK HERE* GRAB OUR BEST Expert CBB Picks for 2014 GAMBLING season!

Although Woodard will be the big name to watch out for, look Rashad Smith’s way if you’re seeking out an X-factor. He’s the team’s best low-post scorer and rebounder, and if he can clear out enough space against UCLA’s defense, he has a chance to be a big presence.

Tulsa stands a chance in this one if the big-time players have big performances. The problem for the Golden Hurricane is that as well as they play, UCLA has more talent, meaning the outcome of this game likely depends on which Bruins team shows up.

Defense must be priority No. 1 for Tulsa, but their efforts will prove futile if UCLA is hitting their shots.
[ad-6571516]

UCLA

As good as UCLA is, the team from Southern California has been inconsistent throughout the 2013-14 season. There’s the team that took down the Arizona Wildcats in the Pac-12 Tournament, then there’s the team that fell to Oregon State, Washington State, Stanford and Utah earlier in the year.

The truth is, the Bruins shouldn’t have much trouble with the Tulsa Golden Hurricane.

They’re more talented and faced a more difficult schedule, proving them ready for their first matchup, especially considering they were 12th in the nation in points per game (81.8) and 10th in field-goal efficiency (.490).

The bigger issue is going to come with consistency—or more specifically, the fear of inconsistency—in the third round and beyond.

Potential third-round matchups with No. 5 VCU or No. 12 SF Austin could be problematic, especially if UCLA has an off night from the field.

However, until the third round takes place, consider UCLA the favorites on talent alone, as Jordan Adams and Kyle Anderson should lead the way against No. 13 Tulsa.

Prediction: UCLA 81 – Tulsa 68

By Cappers Picks

Articles on CappersPicks.com are written by Q (the Head Honcho) at Cappers Picks or by our resident "in house" handicapper Razor Ray Monohan! Enjoy the free picks folks! "Pad that bankroll one day at a time!"