Kentucky vs. UCLA: Sweet 16 Pick

Written by Rohit Ghosh

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Kentucky vs UCLA: Sweet 16 Picks

Top Trend: All Totals Picks entering Sweet 16 - 33-15, 69% + 1650

If there's one thing we're sure to get in Friday's marquee UCLA-Kentucky matchup, it's offense and plenty of it. Both teams will get up and down the floor, with UCLA and Kentucky rankings as the No. 1 and No. 8 best scoring offenses in the nation, respectively. On the other side, neither are even in the top-100 in scoring defense.

At the time of publication, the line's moving back-and-forth between a pick 'em and the Bruins as a one-point favorite. The Bruins are getting the majority of the public bets, hovering around 65 percent. Also, bettors are saying this game will stay UNDER the posted total line of 168, with 52 percent of the public taking the UNDER.

Betting Trends

• Kentucky is on a 13-game winning streak but has covered just 5 spreads in that span.
• UCLA is 12-1 overall in its 13 games, but has covered just 5 spreads in that span.
• Kentucky is 9-3 SU in its last 12 games against the Pac-12.
• The total has gone OVER in 6 of UCLA’s last 8 Friday games These two sides met earlier in the season when the Bruins ended the Wildcats' 42-game home winning streak with a 97-92 performance that saw UCLA guard Lonzo Ball finish with 14 points and seven assists. Big man TJ Leaf chipped in with 17 points and 13 rebounds as UCLA shot 53 percent from the field.

AccuScore has a four-star picks against the spread and sees SIGNIFICANT value on the moneyline odds in this game. See AccuScore’s Picks for UCLA vs Kentucky

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Final Word

The fact of the matter is that UK won't miss another nine free throws like it did last time around. Calipari will have his team ready to stay within a possession, at the worst, in what's largely a revenge game.

Either way, there's very little chance the total score doesn't get pushed up. The safest bet might be the OVER.

South Region: NCAA Tournament Bracketology 2017

Written by Rohit Ghosh

Follow @rohitghosh on Twitter

2017 NCAA Tournament Bracketology: South Region

Odds to Win South Region

North Carolina 5/4
Kentucky 11/4
UCLA 5/1
Butler 10/1
Wichita State 10/1
Cincinnati 14/1
Dayton 28/1
Minnesota U 28/1
Middle Tennessee St 40/1
Arkansas 50/1
Seton Hall 50/1
Wake Forest 75/1
Kansas State 100/1
Kent State 200/1
Northern Kentucky 200/1
Texas Southern 200/1
Winthrop 200/1

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Deserving of the Nod?

Not everyone agrees on UNC getting the No. 1 seed, having lost to Duke two-of-three times this season. With 11 top-50 wins this season tho, it was tough for voters to shy away.

If you don't agree with AccuScore's upset pick of Middle Tenn. over UNC in the Elite 8, the Tar Heels just might deserve a lot more Final Four-related discussion than the sim data suggests.

Upset Alert, or Not

When the bracket was set, there was some notable action on No. 13 Winthrop taking it over No. 4 Butler. It's the highest the Bulldogs have ever been seeded and the public seems to disagree. AccuScore sim data, however, would go with the seeded-favorite in this first-round matchup.

Players to Watch

With UCLA in the field, we already know Lonzo Ball will garner more than enough attention. At 6'6", the freshman guard has made a name for himself and will look to catapult that legacy to the pro level with his play in the tourney.

Beyond the hype, though, most hoops fans know not to overlook Kentucky's Malik Monk in this region. Averaging nearly 21 points per game, watch for Monk to try and lead his No. 2-seeded UK squad to the Final Four.

Value Pick & Final Word

If you're scowering the bracket looking for value picks -- either to reach the Final Four or win the tourney -- look no further than the South region.

At 40:1 odds, Middle Tennessee provides some hidden value -- a lot for a little. What's hidden though is the fact that while it has a 40:1 chance to win the region, it -- by far -- has the best odds for a No. 12 seed to win the tourney at 250:1. Nevada and Princeton are at 500:1, while NC Wilmington is at 1000:1.

AccuScore data has Middle Tennessee reaching the Elite 8 for a matchup against the UCLA Bruins.

AccuScore’s Bracketology Previews
West Region
Midwest Region

West Region: NCAA Tournament Bracketology 2017

Written by Rohit Ghosh

Follow @rohitghosh on Twitter

2017 NCAA Tournament Bracketology: West Region

Let's just say the West region will garner some extra attention -- and wagering opportunities -- with No. 1 Gonzaga atop the standings. Having net made the Final Four, the Bulldogs are already being picked as an upset-victim by the third round.

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What does AccuScore data have to say? Let's take a close look at the West region.

Just how Good is Gonzaga?

Look, you don't win 29 straight games without being that good. They had some big wins over the likes of Florida, Iowa St., and Arizona. And even further, they beat a good Saint Mary's team three times.

Make sure to take a deeper look at AccuScore's bracketcaster. Both Gonzaga and St. Mary's have something to say in the sims when it comes to which team represents the West region in the Final Four. Value-pick alert!

What to Watch

If there's one first round matchup you watch, make it the 8-9 seed game with Northwestern and Vanderbilt. Vandy has depth of shooters at every position - keep an eye on the three-point attempts.

Causing Trouble

While offense tends to get the highlights, it's a team's defensive consistency that often determines their tourney run. No. 4 West Virginia was No. 1 in the nation in forcing turnovers in the regular season, boasting an average turnover margin of +8.2 TOs.

West Region Odds to Win

Gonzaga 8/5
Arizona 2/1
West Virginia 11/2
Florida State 8/1
St. Mary's CA 10/1
Notre Dame 14/1
Maryland 22/1
Northwestern 50/1
Vanderbilt 50/1
VCU 50/1
Xavier 50/1
Florida Gulf Coast 100/1
Princeton 125/1
Bucknell 150/1
North Dakota 200/1
South Dakota State 200/1

Value Pick

AccuScore sim data would suggest a wager on Saint Mary's. There's a good chance they reach the Elite 8 - why not take them to win the region?

In terms of No. 6 seeds, SMU has the best odds to win the tourney at 40:1. Cincinnati and Maryland are at 100:1, while Creighton is at 150:1. What that means is that SMU has a much better chance -- relatively to other teams at their seed -- to reach the Final Four.

Final Word

It's no South region, but Gonzaga does have a fairly tough path to the Final Four. Their biggest hurdle -- somewhat early on -- should come against West Virginia. At least that's what most would have you think.

AccuScore data does have Notre Dame showing the kind of production to put up a fight against both WVU and Gonzaga, but it's the Bulldogs that reach the FInal Four at the end.

AccuScore’s Bracketology Previews
South Region
Midwest Region