T.M. Selection: UCLA.

I like UCLA to cover the spread against UNC in this game on Friday. UCLA has looked really good in their games lately and I think they are going to continue on their deep run here since they have been getting better in each game. UCLA was in the final four last year and now that they have had a little taste of going 2 rounds deep, I expect them to keep rolling through and make a big push for the final four again. UCLA was not able to capture the win over Arizona in their conference tournament but they still ended their year with 5 wins in a row before losing in that game, and they dominated in a lot of those wins. They struggled a bit in their round of 64 game but they made it through Akron and they looked a lot better in their game against Saint Mary's, winning that game by 10+ points. This group has been playing a lot better and with their experience from last year's run, I think they will be tough to stop here now that they have gotten going. There has been a lot of crazy upsets in the tournament up to this point but this is where the truly great teams start to emerge out of the sweet 16 and I think UCLA is the team to do so here. UNC has also looked really good in their games lately, destroying Marquette by 30+ points in the round of 64 and then upsetting Baylor in the round of 32. They didn't look great near the end of that game against Baylor though and they were lucky to escape with the win since Baylor ran out of fuel at the end there. UNC had a 20+ lead over Baylor in that game but they managed to blow that lead and ended up in OT with Baylor in a game they should've never went to OT in. UNC has had a good run but I think this is where it comes to an end. I like UCLA to cover the spread in this game.

T.M. Prediction: 83-77 UCLA.