The UCLA Bruins will take on the Connecticut Huskies in the NCAA Men’s Division I Basketball Tournament. This second-round game in the East Region will be held at Gampel Pavilion in Storrs, CT. The game is set for Saturday, March 21, 2026, at 12:00 PM ET.
UCLA enters the tournament as the 7 seed. They finished the 2026 regular season with a 23-11 overall record and a 15-8 record in the Big Ten Conference. Last year, UCLA won their first-round game against Utah State but fell to Tennessee in the second round.
Connecticut, the 2 seed, had a strong 2026 regular season with a 29-5 overall record and a 19-4 record in the Big East Conference. In the 2025 postseason, Connecticut won against Oklahoma in the first round but narrowly lost to Florida in the second round. They are currently ranked 7th in the AP poll.
Connecticut Preview
The Connecticut Huskies are ranked #7 in the AP poll. They play in the Big East Conference. In the 2025 postseason, they won against Oklahoma in the first round but lost to Florida in the second round.
During the 2026 regular season, the Huskies had an overall record of 29-5. Their conference record was 19-4. They scored an average of 77.5 points per game, ranking them 159th in this category.
The Huskies’ field goal percentage was 48.2, placing them 37th. They made an average of 8.3 three-pointers per game. Their assists per game were 18.4, ranking them 11th.
On defense, the Huskies averaged 6.9 steals and 5.3 blocks per game. They had 10.7 turnovers per game. The team committed 18.0 fouls per game.
UCLA Preview
The UCLA Bruins are part of the Big Ten conference. In the 2025 postseason, they played well in the Midwest Region. They won against Utah State with a score of 72-47 in the first round. However, they lost to Tennessee 58-67 in the second round.
During the 2026 regular season, the Bruins had an overall record of 23 wins and 11 losses. Their conference record was 15 wins and 8 losses. They scored an average of 77.7 points per game, ranking them 150th in points per game. Their field goal percentage was 47.1, placing them 69th in this category.
In the postseason, the Bruins averaged 75 points per game. They attempted 68 field goals per game, which ranked them 21st. Their 2-point attempts per game were 47, ranking them 6th. They also had a strong rebounding performance with 41 rebounds per game, ranking them 24th.
Key players for the Bruins include Tyler Bilodeau and Donovan Dent. Bilodeau averaged 17.6 points per game and had a field goal percentage of 51.8. Dent contributed with 13.5 points per game and 250 assists during the regular season. Xavier Booker also made an impact with 6.9 points and 3.3 rebounds per game.
Statistical Breakdown for Connecticut vs UCLA
The game between the Connecticut Huskies and the UCLA Bruins will be shaped by several key stats. The Huskies have a strong field goal percentage and are ranked 37th in this category. They also excel in assists, ranking 11th. On the other hand, the Bruins have a high 3-point percentage, ranked 33rd, and they are effective in rebounding during the postseason, ranking 24th. Both teams have similar points per game, with the Bruins slightly ahead. Defensive stats like blocks and steals will also play a role in determining the outcome.
- Connecticut Huskies Field Goal Percentage: 48.2 (37th)
- Connecticut Huskies Assists Per Game: 18.4 (11th)
- UCLA Bruins 3-Point Percentage: 38.2 (33rd)
- UCLA Bruins Rebounds Per Game (Postseason): 41.0 (24th)
- Connecticut Huskies Points Per Game: 77.5 (159th)
- UCLA Bruins Points Per Game: 77.7 (150th)
- Connecticut Huskies Blocks Per Game: 5.3
- UCLA Bruins Steals Per Game (Postseason): 13.0
Betting Insights
As UCLA Bruins and Connecticut Huskies prepare for their game, bettors have several trends to consider. UCLA has been strong against the spread, especially as favorites. Meanwhile, Connecticut has shown mixed results in recent games. Here are the top betting trends to keep in mind for this game.
- UCLA is 3-0 on the Over/Under in their last 3 games.
- UCLA is 4-1 on the Over/Under in their last 5 games.
- Connecticut is 0-5 on the Over/Under in their last 5 games.
- UCLA is 14-9-1 ATS as favorites.
- Connecticut is 4-1 ATS in their last 5 games.
Free Betting Prediction for Connecticut vs UCLA
The Connecticut Huskies have a strong field goal percentage and are effective at sharing the ball with a high number of assists. Their defense is solid, with good numbers in blocks and steals. These strengths make them a tough team to beat, especially at home. The Huskies’ ability to control the game tempo and limit turnovers will be key.
The UCLA Bruins have been effective in rebounding and shooting from beyond the arc. Their postseason performance in steals shows they can disrupt opponents’ offenses. Key players like Tyler Bilodeau and Donovan Dent will need to perform well for UCLA to have a chance. The Bruins’ ability to score slightly more points per game could give them an edge.
Considering both teams’ strengths and recent performances, the game could be close. However, the Huskies’ home advantage and strong defense might tip the scales in their favor. The betting trends suggest UCLA has been strong against the spread, but Connecticut’s recent ATS performance is also noteworthy.
- Our Free Prediction: Connecticut -4.5
