No. 11 UCLA vs. No. 14 UAB

Why UCLA will win: The Bruins are a talented team, one that might not stay focused for 40 minutes but can come at teams in a lot of different ways. Guard Bryce Alford is a killer from the perimeter and wants the ball in his hands with the game on the line, but this isn’t a one-man show. Tony Parker and Isaac Hamilton didn’t have great games vs. SMU in the second round, but they are tough inside and out, and Kevon Looney is great in transition. UCLA’s 3-point shooting can be special, and if the Bruins are draining them, look out.

Why UAB will win: Look, nobody really believed UAB was going to knock off Iowa State in the second round, so figuring out how the Blazers can reach the Sweet 16 isn’t easy. They were inconsistent all season, but they showed a lot of fight vs. the Cyclones, and they dominated the glass. To get to next weekend, UAB has to crush it on the boards again and use the kind of by-committee approach that keeps teams scrambling.

What will happen: UCLA will use its athleticism and versatility to knock UAB off stride early, and the Bruins will control the glass thanks to its superior size and quickness in the lane. The Blazers will turn up the pressure after halftime and create some turnovers, but it won’t be enough.

Prediction: UCLA 65, UAB 57