Here's everything you need to know to make a smart bet on UCLA vs. Northwestern in the second round of the NCAA men's basketball tournament.
With Jaylen Clark out for the Bruins, it’ll be interesting to see how UCLA’s defense holds up against better competition. Clark was one of the best defenders in college basketball, and he had the ability to check guards and smaller wings. Without him, the Bruins don’t have the same defensive versatility. He was also a reliable third offensive option.No. 2 seed UCLA avoided the upset bug Arizona and Virginia caught, and looked dominant during their big win over No. 15 seed UNC Asheville.
Without Clark in the fold, the Bruins are going to have a tougher time defending Northwestern’s Boo Buie, Chase Audige and Ty Berry, who combined to score 55 points against Boise State. UCLA has defensive perimeter options, but Northwestern is deep with contributors and the Bruins being down one isn’t ideal.
Northwestern is 8-1 against the spread when playing away from home this season. The Wildcats aren’t going to be too uncomfortable in this neutral-court setting, and some of their gunners might embrace the situation. Buie is capable of swinging a tournament game with his ability to score. UCLA does have Jaime Jaquez Jr. to lean on, and his ability to execute in the mid-post area is a valuable safety blanket for the Bruins. That’s something coach Mick Cronin can always count on, and Northwestern doesn’t really have big men that can guard him — or tire him out on the other end of the floor. Jaquez’s ability to score inside the three-point line could make all the difference. Both teams like to play slow, but UCLA is better at executing in the half court because of Jaquez’s patience.
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