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UAB vs. San Diego State: Predictions, picks odds for team UAB vs. San Diego State March Madness game
Editor's note: Follow all of Friday's men's March Madness scores, highlights, upsets and updates with USA TODAY Sports' live coverage.
The No. 5 seed San Diego State, the runner-up team in last year's tournament, will face the UAB Blazers, the No. 12 seed, in the first round of the NCAA Tournament on Friday at Spokane Veterans Memorial Arena.
San Diego is hoping for redemption as they begin their 2024 March Madness campaign against UAB after losing to UConn 76-59 in the 2023 NCAA Championship game.
San Diego's regular season record is 24-10. Jaedon LeDee leads the team in scoring with an average of 21.1 points and 8.4 rebounds per game this season.
The UAB Blazers won the ACC championship by defeating Temple 85-69, finishing the season with a record of 23-11. Yaxel Lebdebirg has averaged 13.9 points per game, with Eric Gaines contributing 5.5 assists per game this season.
The Aztecs head into the first round of March Madness as 6.5-point favorites against the UAB Blazers, according to BetMGM.
Men's Basketball: 2024 NCAA tournament predictions to win March Madness regions, Final Four
No. 12 UAB Blazers vs. No. 5 San Diego State Aztecs predictions
ESPN: San Diego have a 84% chance to win
According to ESPN's Matchup Predictor, the San Diego State Aztecs have a 84% chance to beat the UAB Blazers in the first round of the NCAA Tournament.
BetMGM: San Diego State will win
Staff writes: "The winning team model predicts San Diego State will win this college basketball game with 73.5% confidence, based on game simulations, player injuries, key player performances and recent matchups."
Action Network: San Diego State has more experience
D.J. James writes: "The UAB Blazers willed themselves into the NCAA Tournament after an unlikely Conference USA Championship title. This game is purely offense against defense. San Diego State thrives on the defensive end, and UAB ranks in the top 60 in Adjusted Offensive Efficiency. The issue here for UAB will be the defensive glass. Jaedon Ledee grabs a ton of offensive rebounds in general and will take advantage of a team that struggled against defending putbacks. UAB will need to get to the free-throw line and get the Aztecs in foul trouble, as it has shown it can do. San Diego State is much more experienced in the postseason, and UAB’s defense will regress against a tougher team — unless it can get to the line often and make shots on the interior."
No. 12 UAB Blazers vs. No. 5 San Diego State Aztecs betting lines, odds
The San Diego State Aztecs are favored to defeat the UAB Blazers, according to the BetMGM odds.
Odds as of Friday:
Spread: San Diego State (-6.5); UAB (+6.5)
Moneyline: San Diego State (-275); UAB (+220)
Total Over/Under: 138.5
Looking to wager? Check out the best mobile sports betting apps offering betting promos in 2024.
No. 12 UAB Blazers vs. No. 5 San Diego State Aztecs channel, steaming information
Game day: Friday, March 22, 2024
Game time: 1:45 p.m., ET
TV channel: TNT
Live stream: YouTubeTV
How to watch NCAA Men's Basketball March Madness 2024
All games will be broadcast across CBS, TBS, TNT and TruTV. Here are additional streaming options to watch all the action on your devices.
Stream through Paramount+
Stream through HULU with Live TV
Stream through DirecTV Stream
How to watch: Catch March Madness with a Fubo subscription
NCAA Men's Basketball March Madness bracket, schedule
Here is an updated bracket with the full field and regions.
Here is a printable PDF of the men's bracket
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This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: UAB vs. San Diego State: Predictions, picks and odds for March Madness game
