UCLA vs. UCF odds, prediction: 2026 NCAA Tournament picks from proven model

The ten-seeded UCF Knights will battle the seven-seeded UCLA Bruins in a first-round matchup in the East regional of the NCAA Tournament on Friday. Two of the top 12 assist leaders in the country will face off in this matchup. UCLA's Donovan Dent, who piled up 250 assists at 7.6 per game, and UCF's Themus Fulks, who dished out 214 at 6.7 per game. UCF (21-11) lost to Big 12 champion Arizona 59-81, while UCLA (23-11) lost to Big 12 tournament champion Purdue 73-66. UFC has some high-profile wins, including Texas Tech and Kansas, but has lost four of five entering the NCAA Tournament. This is UCF's first NCAA tournament since 2019, and just the first time since joining the Big 12. 

Tipoff from the Xfinity Mobile Arena at Aztec Bowl in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, is set for 6:25 p.m. ET. This will be the first-ever matcup between the two schools. UCLA is a 5.5-point favorite in the latest UCLA vs. UCF odds from DraftKings Sportsbook, while the over/under for total points scored is 152.5. 

Before making any UCF vs. UCLA picks, check out the college basketball predictions from the SportsLine Projection Model.

The SportsLine Projection Model simulates every college basketball game 10,000 times. It entered the 2026 NCAA Tournament on a sizzling 11-1 run on top-ranked over/under picks dating back to last year, and is on a 28-22 run on top-rated CBB side picks. Anyone following could have seen HUGE returns!

The model has simulated UCLA vs. UCF 10,000 times and the results are in. The model is going Over on the total, and it also says one side of the spread is the better value!

So who wins UCLA vs. UCF, and which side of the spread is the better value? Join SportsLine right now to see which side of the spread you need to jump on, all from the computer model that has simulated this matchup 10,000 times!