Tennessee vs UCLA Prediction 3/22/25 College Basketball Picks Today

In this article we will formulate a Tennessee vs UCLA prediction for this College Basketball game on Saturday, March 22nd at Rupp Arena in Lexington, Kentucky. Let’s take a look at the prediction for this game in the 2nd Round of the NCAA Tournament. 

Tennessee Volunteers Betting Preview

The Tennessee Volunteers are 28-7 (12-6) this year after they defeated Wofford by a score of 77-62 in their last game. Tennessee led 36-27 at halftime and added 41 points in the second half in the win. The Volunteers shot 48.1% from the field, 35.7% on three pointers, and 68.2% on free throws in the game. Chaz Lanier led Tennessee with 29 points and five rebounds, while Zakai Zeigler added 12 points and 12 assists in the game. Tennessee played very strong defense for most of the game, but they had some struggles on free throws and didn’t dominate the glass in the game. 

Prior to that win, the Volunteers lost to Florida by a score of 86-77, but did beat Auburn by a score of 70-65 before that. Tennessee has won four of their last five games and they finished fourth in the SEC standings with a 12-6 record. Tennessee has scored 74.8 points per game and they have allowed 63.0 points against per game, while also averaging 36.5 rebounds and 15.5 assists per game this season. Chaz Lanier is averaging 18.0 points, 3.8 rebounds, and 1.0 assist per game, while Zakai Zeigler is averaging 13.7 points, 3.0 rebounds, and 7.5 assists per game this season. Tennessee is shooting 45.5% from the field, 74.3% on free throws, and 34% on three pointers this year. 

UCLA Bruins Betting Preview

The UCLA Bruins are 23-10 (13-7) this season after they defeated Utah State by a score of 72-47 in their last game. UCLA led 39-27 at halftime and held Utah State to just 20 points in the second half in the win. The Bruins shot 48.1% from the field, 41.7% on three pointers, and 100% on free throws in the game. Eric Dailey Jr. led UCLA with 14 points and four rebounds, while Skyy Clark added 14 points and two rebounds in the game. UCLA was great offensively in the first half and they were able to coast to an easy win in the second half. 

Prior to that win, the Bruins lost to Wisconsin by a score of 86-70, but did beat USC by a score of 90-63 before that. UCLA has won three of their last four games and they finished tied for fourth in the Big Ten standings with a 13-7 record. UCLA has scored 74.7 points per game and they have allowed 65.2 points against per game, while also averaging 32.8 rebounds and 16.5 assists per game this season. Tyler Bilodeau is averaging 13.5 points, 4.6 rebounds, and 1.5 assists per game, while Eric Dailey Jr. is averaging 11.7 points, 4.1 rebounds, and 1.4 assists per game this year. UCLA is shooting 46.6% from the field, 70.3% on free throws, and 35.2% on three pointers this season. 

Why Tennessee will beat UCLA

• Tennessee has won each of its last 17 night games against non-Conference opponents.
• UCLA has lost each of its last seven games against Top 10 AP-ranked opponents at a neutral venue.
• Tennessee has won the first half in each of its last 10 night games against non-AP-ranked opponents at a neutral venue.

Why UCLA will beat Tennessee

• UCLA has won each of its last seven night games against non-Conference opponents.
• Tennessee has lost four of its last five games against the Big Ten Conference at neutral venues.
• UCLA has won the first half in each of its last 10 games against non-Conference opponents.

Total Points Facts

• Each of Tennessee’s last seven games have produced a total of 135+ points.
• Twenty-six of UCLA’s last 29 games against Top 10 AP-ranked opponents have produced a total of 134+ points.

Matchup/League Facts

• Tennessee ranks 1st among Division 1 teams for opponent field goal percentage this season (37.7%).
• Tennessee ranks 2nd among Division 1 teams for opponent three-point percentage this season (27.7%).
• UCLA ranks 7th among Division 1 teams for opponent field goal attempts per game this season (51.5).
• UCLA ranks 16th among Division 1 teams for opponent field goals made per game this season (22.1).

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Tennessee vs UCLA Prediction 

UCLA comes into this matchup after dominating Utah State in their first game and they will look to continue that strong defensive effort here. The Bruins were inconsistent on the defensive end of the floor this season, but they should have some success against a Tennessee offense that isn’t great. The Vols have won four of their last five games and while their offense isn’t elite, their defense has allowed 65 points or fewer in three of their last five games. I do think Tennessee is going to cover in this matchup, but I like the under here.