UCLA Bruins vs. Kentucky Wildcats Odds, Analysis, March Madness Betting Pick

The most highly anticipated Sweet 16 game of the 2017 NCAA tournament will take place Friday in Memphis when the second-seeded Kentucky Wildcats (31-5) battle the third-seeded UCLA Bruins (31-4) in a pick'em rematch.

The Bruins upset the Wildcats 97-92 as 11-point road underdogs back on December 3, ending their opponent's 42-game winning streak and reign at No. 1.

Point spread: This game opened as a pick'em; the total is at 168.5, according to sportsbooks monitored by OddsShark. (Line updates and matchup report)

March Madness betting pick, via OddsShark computer: 75.8-71.6 Bruins (College basketball picks on every game)

Why UCLA can cover the spread

Like Kentucky, UCLA seems to be playing its best basketball right now and may have the best player on the court in freshman Lonzo Ball, who had 14 points, seven assists and six rebounds in the first meeting.

Ball is a surefire Top 3 pick in this year's NBA draft, and this is another opportunity for him to showcase his skills against top competition.

The Bruins have won three of the past four meetings with the Wildcats and covered five of the last six at online gambling sites, so they also have favorable betting trends on their side.

Why Kentucky can cover the spread

This is obviously a huge revenge game for a Kentucky team that would love to earn another rematch with the top-seeded North Carolina Tar Heels in the South Regional Final on Sunday. For that to happen, the Wildcats simply need to continue playing smart by not turning the ball over and taking dumb shots.

Kentucky head coach John Calipari has seen his freshmen come of age yet again in the Big Dance, peaking at the perfect time. The Wildcats are riding a 13-game winning streak, and they have won nine of their last 12 against Pac-12 foes.

Smart betting pick

UCLA has the better balance of youth and experience, with senior guards Bryce Alford and Isaac Hamilton providing the leadership alongside Ball. While Kentucky's talent can match the Bruins on a good day, that was not the case in the first meeting.

The Wildcats are solid enough to win and then challenge the Tar Heels for a spot in the Final Four. But the Bruins are better and will prevail again to move on to the Elite Eight.

March Madness betting trends

UCLA is 5-1 ATS in its last six games against Kentucky.

The total has gone over in three of UCLA's last four games against Kentucky.

The total has gone under in eight of Kentucky's last nine games.

All college basketball lines and betting trends courtesy of Bleacher Report’s official odds partner, OddsShark. All quotes gathered firsthand unless otherwise noted. Check out Twitter for injury and line-movement updates and the OddsShark YouTube page for picks and analysis, or download the free odds tracker app.