The top-seeded Michigan Wolverines will be looking to reach the Final Four for the second time in three years when they face off against the UCLA Bruins in the last game of the Elite Eight. In 2018, the Wolverines reached the Final Four and eventually lost to the Villanova Wildcats in the National Championship. UCLA is the last double-digit seed left in the tournament with hopes of reaching their first Final Four since 2008. They have an opportunity to become the first 11th-seeded First Four team to reach the Final Four since the Shaka Smart's 2011 VCU Rams. It'll be interesting to see if the extra game will finally catch up to them on the court. It’s time to continue our NCAA odds series and make a UCLA-Michigan prediction and pick.

Here is how the sportsbooks have set the opening UCLA-Michigan odds:

NCAA Odds: UCLA-Michigan Odds

UCLA Bruins +7 (-115)

Michigan Wolverines -7 (-105)

Over 135.5 Points (-11o)

Under 135.5 Points (-110)

Why UCLA Could Cover The Spread

The UCLA Bruins are on a Cinderella run in the 2021 tournament. It all started with their First Four overtime win against Michigan State. They were able to carry momentum into the first two rounds with resounding wins to reach the Sweet Sixteen. They then took on the two-seeded Alabama Crimson Tide and defeated them in overtime as well. UCLA was a seven-point underdog in that game. Momentum is certainly on the Bruins side right now.

The Bruins team defense has reached another level in tournament play. UCLA has held each opponent to under 33% shooting from three. They have also won the turnover battle by a margin of +18 through four wins. Sophomore transfer Johnny Juzang (15.1 ppg) is in the conversation for Most Outstanding Player and has become a household name. He is averaging 20 points per game in the tournament. UCLA has all of the tools and if they win the turnover battle against a Michigan team that doesn't turn opponents over much, they have a shot.

Why Michigan Could Cover The Spread

The Michigan Wolverines are ready to take care of unfinished business from the 2018 season. Juwan Howard is a win away from leading this program back to the Final Four. Howard's bunch knocked off the Florida State Seminoles by 16 points in the Sweet Sixteen. They've been playing fundamentally sound basketball, shooting around 50% from the field in tournament play. The defense has been stellar as well, holding opponents to under 40% shooting from the floor.

After losing Isaiah Livers before the tournament kicked off, freshman center Hunter Dickinson has really stepped into the leadership role quite nicely. Dickinson had a double-double against LSU and put up 14 points, eight rebounds, and two blocks in the win against FSU. He has helped his team control the glass as Michigan has out-rebound opponents by 25 in three games. Look for Michigan to put an emphasis on dominating the boards. UCLA has been out-rebounded in three of their first four tournament games.

Final UCLA-Michigan Prediction & Pick

I'm riding the wave. UCLA is on a Cinderella run and has an intangible that I absolutely love in this spot. They aren't expected to win this game. The pressure isn't on them. They have been playing loose on the offensive end and absolutely lights out on the defensive end. The win against Alabama was impressive, to say the least. Anyone arguing that this run is a fluke clearly hasn't watched this team play over the last four games. UCLA is for real and I could very well see it becoming the first 11-seed to reach the Final Four after playing in the First Four since VCU. Roll Bruins.

FINAL PICK: UCLA +7 (-115)