College Basketball Picks: Florida Gators vs. UCLA Bruins

The Florida Gators are the only team in the nation to reach the Sweet 16 in each of the past four years, which is important to consider when making your college basketball picks, as they prepare to take on the UCLA Bruins at the FedExForum.

Sports bettors will find that the Gators are five-point neutral-site favorites in the NCAA basketball odds, with the betting total sitting at 137 in the market.

Let's take a closer look at this NCAA tournament matchup from a betting perspective, while offering up a prediction along the way.

Gambling stats via SBR Forum 

Florida Gators

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The Florida Gators have won a program-record 28 consecutive games, including a 61-45 victory over the Pittsburgh Panthers as 5.5-point favorites last Saturday.

Over the last two-plus seasons, the program is 3-0 straight up and 2-1 against the spread as neutral-court favorites of 3.5 to six points. 

UCLA Bruins

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The UCLA Bruins are set to make their first appearance in the Sweet 16 since 2008, as they picked up a 77-60 blowout victory over Stephen F. Austin as 9.5-point favorites Sunday.

College basketball handicappers will find that the Bruins are 0-7 against the spread in their last seven games versus Southeastern Conference opponents. 

Prediction

I'm going to recommend that readers back the Florida Gators in the opening 20 minutes as one of their college basketball picks, as they've gone 19-8 against the spread in their last 27 NCAA tournament games.

Pick: Florida Gators -3 First Half 

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