2008 UCLA NCAA Basketball Tournament Odds

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The 2008 UCLA Bruins odds to win the NCAA Tournament are among the best of any team which will be participating in the Big Dance. The Bruins have made appearances in each of the last two Final Fours, but were not able to cut down the nets. Will they finally be able to break through to bring home a 12th NCAA title to this storied program? Jimmy thinks they definitely have what it takes with talent, big game experience, and strong defensive play on their side.

UCLA is 20-2 this season and currently ranked seventh in the nation. The Bruins lead the tough Pac-10 Conference with a 8-1 record with Stanford on its heels at 7-2. The Bruins only conference loss came against rival USC. At 13-6-2 against the spread, UCLA has been the best against the spread team in the Pac-10 this season. At 7 games above .500, Bruins backers have a nice little bankroll built up this season. UCLA has won four in a row against the spread and 7 of its last 9. Because the Bruins play in such a tough conference, I think the oddsmakers will look at UCLA much more realistically, than they will Memphis for example, when they set lines the rest of the way out. We should be able to continue to profit off of taking the Bruins.

With games at Washington State, USC, Arizona State, and Arizona, the Bruins are far from locking up the Pac-10 this season. As I mentioned before, USC has already beaten them, and the other three teams will be looking for revenge after poor performances.

The addition of freshman Kevin Love has made the Bruins a championship contender. The big man is leading the team in scoring at 17.8 ppg and in rebounding at 11.2 ppg. His basketball IQ might be the best part of his game, which doesn’t get talked about nearly enough. Love is the best post passer the Bruins have had since Bill Walton. His outlet passes have added a fast break element to UCLA’s game that it has not had the past couple seasons.

While Love is the leading scorer, Darren Collison’s play will determine if UCLA can win it all. He was the biggest reason why the Bruins made another lengthy run in the tourney last season. He has the ability to score from the perimeter, penetrate, dish, and lock up his opponent’s best ball handler. With Josh Shipp, Russell Westbrook, and Luc Richard Mbah a Moute, the Bruins have the most complete starting five in the country, with North Carolina as, perhaps, the only exception.

Because UCLA has so many good players, its defense often doesn’t get its due. The fact is that UCLA is ninth in the nation in scoring defense while playing in one of the top two conferences in the country.

Because UCLA has made such lengthy runs the past two season and now has a go-to guy in the post, you have to give this team strong consideration to win it all. Right now, I think North Carolina has the slight edge with UCLA right behind.

Odds to win the NCAA Tournament: 9/2

Take a look at our betting articles on other NCAA basketball teams:

• Maryland Terrapins

• Drake Bulldogs

• Duke Blue Devils

• Kansas Jayhawks

• North Carolina Tar Heels

• Memphis Tigers

• Michigan State Spartans

• Tennessee Vols

• Butler Bulldogs

• Stanford Cardinal

February 5th, 2007