Sean's CBB SHOW STOPPER! 4-0 START/16-4 RUN!
- Handicapper
- Sean Murphy
- League
- NCAAB
- Competition
- Central Florida vs UCLA
- Release Date
- 03/20/2026 06:38 AM
- Event Date
- 03/20/2026 07:31 PM
- Bet Type
- Point Spread
- Pick
-
Central Florida +5.5 (-108)
(DraftKings)
- Outcome
- Win
- Analysis
- My selection is on UCF plus the points over UCLA at 7:25 pm et on Friday.
Both of these teams are dealing with key injuries ahead of their first round matchup on Friday but it does appear both will have all hands on deck, even if everyone isn't 100% healthy. I get the feeling this will be a down-to-the-wire type of affair as the Knights and Bruins figure to match up well. Of note, UCLA enters this tournament in uncharted territory riding a season-high five-game ATS winning streak. The Bruins longest ATS win streak prior to that lasted only two games - a number they reached twice before getting 'upset' by California and Minnesota. Here, UCLA flips from an underdog role in its Big Ten semi-final loss but cover against eventual champion Purdue to a favorite against a punchy UCF team. The Knights have navigated a difficult schedule - tougher than that of UCLA by most metrics - to a 21-11 record this season. They have lost four of their last five games but one of those defeats came by a single point while two others needed overtime to decide. They've had over a week to stew over a blowout loss to Arizona in the Big 12 Tournament. I think that will serve as a good lesson as two just how much they'll need to step up their game as the stakes get higher. Keep in mind, they did take the Wildcats down to the wire in a seven-point loss but cover earlier in the campaign. I certainly don't think this matchup is too big for the Knights. We'll grab all the points we can get in this 10-7 matchup. Take UCF (8*).
