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Johnny Juzang (23 points) was huge in UCLA's First Four win over Michigan State on Thursday, but he had to be carried off with a sprained right ankle late in the overtime victory. On Friday coach Mick Cronin said he's uncertain how well Juzang can play with the injury against BYU. My model says the Cougars cover more than 60 percent of the time and win by seven, so you're getting good value at this number.
No. 11 UCLA vs. No. 6 BYU in East Region action Saturday. I would probably have picked Michigan State to upset BYU had the Spartans not blown Thursday's First Four game vs. UCLA, and I probably would have picked the Bruins to upset BYU, too, since at least one First Four team has won a first-round game in every NCAA Tournament but one. However, I will now go with the rested Cougars because Bruins leading scorer Johnny Juzang left late in OT vs. the Spartans with a right ankle sprain. At the time, it sure didn't look like he would be able to play 48 hours later, but even if he does it surely won't be close to 100 percent. Thus, let's jump this line now before it potentially rises a few points. Juzang had 23 points Thursday and is averaging 14.5 ppg on the season.