Buckle up for what should be a sensational Women’s March Madness matchup when the Mississippi Rebels meet the UCLA Bruins on Friday night in Spokane.
The Bruins have lost only twice this season, and my Mississippi vs. UCLA predictions expect a comfortable Bruins victory here.
Read on for my Women’s March Madness picks for Friday, March 28.
Who will win Mississippi vs UCLA?
I like the UCLA Bruins to win this game. UCLA has a pair of potent offensive players in Lauren Betts and Kiki Rice that a good Mississippi Rebels defense will face difficulties shutting down.
UCLA doesn’t just score as its defense is better than Mississippi’s, and the Bruins will win if Betts throws shots and gets enough buckets to beat the Rebels.
Mississippi vs UCLA prediction
My best bet: UCLA -8.5 (-105 at bet365)
The UCLA Bruins have lost twice this season yet are less than a 10-point favorite on a neutral court. Sign me up for that.
The Bruins’ two losses this season were against JuJu Watkins and Women’s March Madness top seed USC. That’s it. The Bruins didn’t play many close games, either.
UCLA won half its final 10 regular season games by 10+ and comfortably won both opening-round Women’s March Madness clashes.
Bruins All-American junior center Lauren Betts is coming off a 30-point double-double. Betts barely missed averaging a seasonal double-double.
She is a force to reckon with and can wreak havoc against the smaller Rebels. Betts is surrounded by three long-range sharpshooters, with six Bruins averaging eight points per game or better.
The Mississippi Rebels aren’t as deep, nor do they have the offensive weapons to score with UCLA.
They are exceptional defenders and good team rebounders, but they lack the size or depth to compete with Betts and the deeper Bruins on a neutral court.
Friday’s matchup feels like another possible UCLA blowout and a solid Bruins cover.
Mississippi vs UCLA same-game parlay (SGP)
UCLA -8.5
UCLA 1H moneyline
Under 134.5
My thinking is that Betts and the Bruins go wire to wire, but we’ll take the scenic route as that market isn’t available to us for the SGP.
We’ll add the Bruins to win the first half to our ticket. UCLA will get Betts involved early, and the Bruins' defense has been nearly elite this season, leading to what should be a low-scoring affair.
Mississippi leads with an elite defense. UCLA’s defense is even better, and with both teams playing slow-tempo hoops, we’ll try to land this three-legger by playing the Under.
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Mississippi vs UCLA odds
| Mississippi | UCLA | |
|---|---|---|
| +275 | Moneyline | -345 |
| 7.5 (-110) | Spread | -7.5 (-110) |
| Over 134.5 (-110) | Total | Under 134.5 (-110) |
Odds courtesy of bet365
How to watch Mississippi vs UCLA
| Location | Spokane Arena, Spokane, WA |
| Date | Friday, 3-28-2025 |
| Tip-off | 10:00 p.m. ET |
| TV | ESPN |
Mississippi vs UCLA key injuries
Mississippi : None.
UCLA : None.
Not intended for use in MA.
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