LSU vs UCLA Odds & Pick: NCAA Women’s Tournament Prediction

LSU vs UCLA odds have the Tigers listed as 3-point favorites on the spread in the Sweet 16, while the over/under is set at 145.5. Will the defending champs get one step closer to back-to-back titles, or can UCLA pull off the upset?

Check out my LSU vs UCLA pick for the Sweet 16 below.

Road to the Sweet 16:

• First Round vs. No. 14 seed Rice: W 70-60 (Rice +28.5 | Under 146.5)
• Second Round vs. No. 11 seed MTSU: W 83-56 (LSU -16.5 | Under 140.5)

The defending national champions were tested early in the opening rounds at home.

Rice came out with an excellent game plan in the First Round, and although it never led in the game, it never got down by more than 11 points either. Rice forced LSU into 24 turnovers.

In the Second Round, LSU found itself down nine early in the third quarter; but after a timeout, Kim Mulkey’s squad went ballistic. The Tigers utilized their size and speed to close out the game on layups and a whole lot of free throws, amassing 30 free throws in the second half alone. LSU closed the last 18 minutes on a 51-15 run.

Flau'jae Johnson has been the catalyst for this team on both ends of the floor, averaging 19.2 PPG over her last six games.

Road to the Sweet 16:

• First Round vs. No. 15 seed Cal Baptist: W 84-55 (UCLA -28, Over 153.5)
• Second Round vs. No. 7 seed Creighton: W 67-63 (CU +15.5, Under 140.5)

Cori Close’s squad didn’t look to be dominant to start its game against Cal Baptist, especially on the defensive end, but the Bruins closed the final five minutes on a 16-2 run.

Sophomore center Lauren Betts, who didn't play in the first game, looked to have a huge size advantage against Creighton in the second round. UCLA was certainly tested, as the trio of Emma Ronsiek, Lauren Jensen and Morgan Maly combined for 52 of Creighton’s 63 points. The Bluejays led by double digits early in the third quarter before UCLA sophomore guard Kiki Rice started to take over, leading the way for the Bruins with 24 points.

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This is the matchup everyone has been anticipating, as two of the national title contenders will face off in Albany, New York. In my opinion, UCLA is more talented, has more depth and has proven it can beat anyone.

I do, however, see a mismatch in terms of coaching, experience and ability to use size. Angel Reese and Aneesah Morrow will not make things easy for the 6’7" Betts. It’s hard to say any pair of bigs rebound better or play harder than Morrow and Reese.

Even with the struggles LSU has had from Louisville transfer Hailey Van Lith, I expect LSU to come out on top in a close, physical game. I also see a lot of feeling each other out and slow possessions to start. The Under is 6-0 in LSU's last 6 NCAA Tournament games outside of the Final Four.

Picks:

• LSU -2.5 (Play to -4)
• Under 145.5 (Play to 143.5)
• 1H Under 71.5 (0.5u)