The No. 7 UCLA Bruins (24-11) vs. the No. 2 UConn Huskies (30-5) could be one of the best matchups for Sunday, March 22’s second-round games in the NCAA Tournament.
However, both teams are dealing with injuries, including one of the Bruins’ top pieces. UCLA F Tyler Bilodeau has battled a knee strain since the Big Ten Tournament.
The setback has carried to the NCAA Tournament, potentially impacting UCLA vs. UConn predictions for tonight’s 8:45 p.m. ET tip-off on TNT. Let’s look at the latest Tyler Bilodeau injury update and how it could shift college basketball picks for PrizePicks.
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Tyler Bilodeau Injury Update vs. UConn in NCAA Tournament
Bilodeau suffered the injury only 10 minutes into the Big Ten Tournament quarterfinals vs. Michigan State. While he was absent vs. Purdue in the semifinals, it was initially reported he’d be available for the NCAA Tournament.
However, he was held out of UCLA’s 75-71 first-round win vs. No. 10 UCF. He’s officially entering Sunday as a game-time decision for tonight’s second-round clash.
Bilodeau leads the Bruins with 17.6 points per game (PPG), and his 5.6 rebounds per game (RPG) sit second. Furthermore, the senior 6’9” forward shoots a deadly 46.4% from 3-point range, providing a big boost to UCLA’s 37.9% team mark from deep (95th percentile).
According to EvanMiya, Bilodeau has the third-highest Bayesian Performance Rating (BPR) on the team. His absence would free up plenty of field goal attempts, as UCLA’s leading scorer launches 11.4 shots per game and carries a 23.7% usage rate (second on the team), per Bart Torvik.
Bilodeau’s absence would surely be felt with the Bruins listed as 4.5-point underdogs tonight, per PrizePicks Team Picks.
We have a decent sample size of nearly three full games with Bilodeau out of the rotation. Which Bruin could be a potential target for elevated production vs. UConn?
Tyler Bilodeau Injury Impact: Which UCLA Players to Target?.
UCLA F Xavier Booker averages only 19.8 minutes per game on the season, but that increased to 26.5 minutes per contest in Bilodeau’s last two absences.
In this two-game split, Booker posted 13.5 PPG while shooting 50.0% from the field. The 6’11” junior even contributed from beyond the arc, cashing in 4-of-8 attempts (50.0%).
He rose to the occasion in the first round of the NCAA Tournament, logging 15 points, 8 rebounds, and 4 blocks. Bart Torvik ranks UConn in the 43rd percentile of close-2 shot distribution allowed, adding to Booker’s chances of scoring inside.
Additionally, G Eric Dailey Jr. (11.6 PPG) totaled 15.0 PPG in his last three games, including 20 points while shooting 47.1% from the field on Friday.
The Palmetto, Florida, native is capable of attacking the Huskies interior defense, as Dailey shoots only 31.3% from 3-point land compared to 56.9% on 2-pointers.
According to Bart Torvik, Booker (61.3%) and Dailey (56.9%) lead UCLA in 2-point percentage, providing two potential targets for Sunday NCAA Tournament picks.
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UCLA G Eric Dailey Jr. Projections, Picks vs. UConn
Check out a few of Eric Dailey’s projections on PrizePicks for UCLA vs. UConn on Sunday.
- 12.5 Points
- 19.5 Pts+Rebs+Asts
- 6 Rebounds
- 24 Fantasy Score
Make UCLA vs. UConn Picks on PrizePicks
Keep a close eye on Bilodeau’s status, as it could shift the 4.5-point spread on Sunday. Will UCLA still pull off the upset over UConn, courtesy of Booker and Dailey?
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