Gonzaga vs. UCLA same-game parlay picks: Bet on offence, including Drew Timme

The most anticipated March Madness matchup on Thursday’s schedule is also the last one, as No. 3 Gonzaga faces No. 2 UCLA in the Sweet 16.

The pregame narrative: UCLA has a stout defence, but both teams really know how to score — and that has us backing a teased-down over. We’ve also found a way to tail a star on both sides, backing Drew Timme to score in bunches and Tyger Campbell to dish plenty of assists.

Here are our best Gonzaga vs. UCLA same-game parlay picks for March 23.

NCAA basketball odds as of 1:30 p.m. on 03/23/2023.

Gonzaga vs. UCLA same-game parlay

Parlay: Over 141.5 points + Timme over 19.5 points + Campbell over 4.5 assists (+310)

Over 141.5 points (-195): The selling point for an overs bet in this matchup has to start with Gonzaga. The Bulldogs have the top-rated offence in the country, averaging 87.3 points per game while averaging just 16 seconds per possession (33rd-fastest in the NCAA).

That combo of speed and efficiency has led Gonzaga to go over this number in 14 of its last 15 games, as well as 29 of 35 games overall (82.9%).

UCLA presents some risk here, as the Bruins have fallen under this line in both tourney games so far. But as long as Gonzaga’s offence is humming, the Bruins have enough firepower to keep up. Together, these teams combine to score 161.4 points per game.

The Bruins have only gone over this line in 12 of 36 games, but we believe that’s largely because they haven’t seen an offence like the one the Zags deploy.

Other parlay legs

Timme over 19.5 points (-107): A bet on offence is likely an endorsement of Gonzaga’s all-time leading scorer, so let’s go ahead and add him to the ticket.

Timme, who’s averaging 21.1 points per game this season, is coming off a 28-point performance against TCU in the Round of 32. He was an absolute force in the paint, drawing six fouls in the first half alone.

UCLA’s defence is strong inside and out, but it hasn’t been terribly imposing against big men so far in March Madness. The two starting centres UCLA faced — UNC Asheville’s Drew Pember and Northwestern’s Matthew Nicholson — have combined for 30 points on just 15 shots.

Campbell over 4.5 assists (-155): If your only exposure to UCLA this season came in the tournament, this line would seem preposterously low. Campbell dished 10 assists in the Bruins’ opening-round win before following up with seven assists in the Round of 32.

In actuality, his season-long assists average (4.9) is much closer to where this prop sits. But he’s still over the 4.5-assist mark on average, and he’s cleared it in 19 of 36 games (52.8%).

Recent results matter, and his passing prowess in the tourney stands out. Looking back a bit further, the senior guard has gone over this mark in four of his past five games.

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