UCLA (+5.5) Is Out For Revenge Against Powerhouse Gonzaga

Our parlay hit last night so someone is getting $100 🤑. Also, LeBron was suspended one game for Sunday’s altercation with Isaiah Stewart and will miss tonight’s game at MSG 🤷🏽‍♂️

Gonzaga vs. UCLA: The Encore

#1 vs #2. A rematch of one of the greatest Final Four games ever. Dickie V on the call for the first time this season. Does it get any better than this?

One of the most anticipated games of the college basketball season will take place tonight when Gonzaga meets UCLA in Las Vegas. Both teams played last night

#1 Gonzaga vs #2 UCLA Betting Preview

• Spread: Gonzaga -5.5 vs. UCLA

• Moneyline: Gonzaga -240 (bet $240, win $100), UCLA +195

• Over/Under: 156.5 points

Being 5.5-point favorites over the second best team in the nation is a testament to just how good Gonzaga has looked this year, but if precedent is any indication, we could be in store for another thrilling finish 😤

Historical Tidbits

As you might imagine, it’s not so common for the #1 and #2 teams in college basketball to face off

• Tonight’s game will be the 43rd #1 vs. #2 game since the AP college basketball poll started in 1949, with only 23 occurring during the regular season

• This will be the first 1-2 matchup to feature two teams from the West Coast

• Teams ranked first are 22-20 moneyline against teams ranked second, but #2’s have a total of a one-point advantage across the previous 42 meetings 🤯

Adding even more intrigue to the matchup? UCLA head coach Mick Cronin’s history against his counterpart Mark Few…

• The two coaches have matched up twice in their careers; at last year’s Final Four, and at the 2009 Maui Invitational when Cronin was at Cincinnati 

• Both matchups went to overtime and ended with Gonzaga winning by one possession

Trivia Question: The last time #1 and #2 played was in 2019; who were the two teams? (answer below)

Can The Bruins Get Revenge?

Cronin isn’t the only one with some extra motivation tonight; most of UCLA’s roster has undoubtedly had this one circled on the calendar for a while

• The Bruins returned all five starters from last year’s Final Four team, as well as 92.9% of the team's minutes

• Only one major conference team returned a higher percentage (Butler at 96.8%)

Coming off last year’s tournament run, expectations were sky-high entering the season, and so far they’ve been as good as advertised

• UCLA is averaging 94.8 points per game, second in the nation behind Iowa

• Preseason All-American wing Johnny Juzang is currently second in the PAC-12 in scoring at 19.8 points per game

• Tournament breakout star Jaime Jaquez Jr. has arguably been even better, putting up 15.6 PPG and 7.6 RPG on 52.4% shooting

The Bruins will need this duo to stay hot tonight if they hope to leave Vegas with a victory. They’ve already bested a top-five opponent this year, taking down #4 Villanova in their second game of the season, but dealing with Gonzaga’s size down low will be their toughest challenge yet

For My Parlay Gurus

For so many reasons, tonight’s game should be awesome. I’m hoping for another wild finish, but I just don’t know if UCLA has an answer for Drew Timme. I’m riding with the Bulldogs in a high-scoring game👇

• Gonzaga -5.5: -110

• Over 156.5 points: -110

A hit here would result in a $265 payout on a $100 bet, more than enough to snag this sleek Johnny Juzang jersey. If this hits, make sure to email [email protected] for $100. First come, first serve 😉

Trivia Answer: #2 Kentucky took down #1 Michigan State, 69-62, at Madison Square Garden in the season opener