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UCLA Basketball Vs Gonzaga: Betting Odds, How To Watch, Predictions, And More

Can UCLA upend the Zags?
Jason Fray|
UCLA Basketball Vs Gonzaga: Betting Odds, How To Watch, Predictions, And More
UCLA Basketball Vs Gonzaga: Betting Odds, How To Watch, Predictions, And More

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UCLA Bruins

The Basketball Gods most certainly wanted it to be this way. 

As fate would have it, the final game of the Maui Invitational would of course pit your UCLA Bruins against West Coast foe the Gonzaga Bulldogs. 

The recent history between both programs has been beyond exciting for the fans -- though heartbreaking for the Bruins. A converted halfcourt last-second heave from Jalen Suggs ended UCLA's magical Final Four run in 2021. Last year in the Sweet 16, a Julian Strawther three from near halfcourt ended the Bruins' season again in dramatic fashion. 

Suffice it to say, but Mick Cronin's team likely has some real motivation in wanting to win this game. 

UCLA (4-1) will tip off tonight against Gonzaga (3-1) at 9:00 p.m. PT on ESPN2. UCLA is coming off a resounding win over Chaminade. The Bulldogs thoroughly dismantled Syracuse en route to this Fifth Place showdown. 

According to The Action Network, Gonzaga has opened as a -4.5-point favorite. 

This is a big game for both teams. Gonzaga would love to pick up another quality non-conference win, especially due to the fact that the WCC doesn't exactly offer a bundle of opportunities to do so during the regular season.

As for UCLA, exorcising some demons would be great for the program -- especially Cronin. At the same time, a win here would give this young team some real momentum moving forward into a non-conference schedule which will include games versus Villanova, Ohio State, and Maryland. 

In terms of a prediction, this should be another highly competitive game. Though Gonzaga does have more experience in regards to Anton Watson and Ryan Nembhard, UCLA is a deeper and more talented team. After losing the close game to No. 4 Marquette, the Bruins will learn from those mistakes and come up with a big win here. 

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Jason Fray
JASON FRAY

Jason Fray is a proud native of Los Angeles. After graduating from UCLA in 2011, he's written for a number of publications -- including Bleacher Report, FOX Sports, Saturday Down South, and New Arena. In his downtime, he enjoys writing scripts, going to shows, weekly pub trivia with the boys, trying the best hole-in-the-wall food spots around town, and traveling (22 countries & counting). 

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