Tennessee Volunteers vs Ucla Bruins Picks and Predictions March 22nd 2025

UCLA-Tennessee Shaping Up as Defensive Showdown

Two of the stingiest defensive teams in college basketball clash Saturday night as No. 2 seed Tennessee meets No. 7 seed UCLA in the second round of the NCAA Tournament’s Midwest Region.

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Vols Leaning on Experience, Elite Guard Play

Tennessee (28-7) advanced to the Round of 32 for the fourth straight season with a 77-62 win over Wofford, led by Chaz Lanier’s explosive 29-point effort in his tournament debut. Zakai Zeigler added a program-record 12 assists, bringing his career total to 726. The Volunteers continue to rely on their trademark defensive intensity, allowing just 63 points per game—11th in the nation.

Coach Rick Barnes praised his team’s composure on the big stage, noting that Lanier’s calm demeanor has been consistent all season. Despite Tennessee’s defensive reputation, the offense has clicked down the stretch, especially in the backcourt.

The Vols are chasing their third straight Sweet 16 appearance and looking to continue their deep run in a loaded Midwest Region.

Bruins Bringing Defensive Grit to Lexington

UCLA (23-10) showcased its defensive chops in the opening round, smothering Utah State in a 72-47 rout. The Bruins held the Aggies to just 30 percent shooting and a frigid 4-of-31 from 3-point range. Head coach Mick Cronin’s squad has now held 10 of its last 14 opponents under 70 points.

Skyy Clark and Eric Dailey Jr. paced the offense with 14 points each, while UCLA shot over 41 percent from beyond the arc. The Bruins have embraced a gritty identity since their midseason turnaround and will look to drag the Volunteers into a defensive slugfest.

Cronin knows the challenge ahead, calling Tennessee coach Rick Barnes “a guy who does it the right way” and emphasizing the need for toughness, especially in a physical matchup like this one.

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Matchup to Watch

The battle between UCLA’s perimeter defense and Tennessee’s dynamic backcourt duo of Zeigler and Lanier could decide the game. Both teams are comfortable in grind-it-out environments, and second-chance points, turnovers, and physicality will be pivotal in a game where open looks may be rare.

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