The No. 12 seed UC San Diego Tritons are set to make their NCAA Tournament debut against the No. 5 seed Michigan Wolverines in the Round of 64. This late-night game will take place at Ball Arena in Denver, starting around 10 p.m. ET on TBS, as both teams aim to advance in the postseason.

With UC San Diego aiming to make history and Michigan seeking to build on its postseason success, this matchup promises to be an exciting opening-round contest. Let’s analyze the UC San Diego vs. Michigan picks and determine which team holds the advantage in this important Round of 64 clash.

 

 

 

UC San Diego vs. Michigan Predictions For March Madness Round Of 64, 3/20

UC San Diego comes into the tournament with an impressive 15-game winning streak, the longest in the country. They earned their place in March Madness by defeating UC Irvine 75-61 in the Big West Conference championship, showcasing their dominance throughout the season.

Meanwhile, Michigan enters the tournament as the Big Ten Tournament champions, having edged out Wisconsin 59-53 in a tough title match. Under first-year head coach Dusty May, the Wolverines have gained momentum, winning three consecutive games as underdogs. Will them being favored make a difference in our UC San Diego vs. Michigan predictions?

 

 

 

UC San Diego Tritons: Let The Good Times Roll

UC San Diego is heading into March Madness with an impressive 15-game winning streak, the longest in the country right now. The Tritons have shown their strength in the Big West by winning both the regular-season and tournament championships in their first year eligible for the NCAA Tournament.

They are led by Aniwaniwa Tait-Jones, the Big West Player of the Year, who averages 19.5 points and 5.5 rebounds per game. UCSD also has a strong defense, giving up only 61.6 points per game, which ranks them in the top 10.

Their smart playing style and accurate shooting (46.6% from the field) make them a tough opponent. With their confidence soaring, the Tritons are eager to keep their amazing season going with a big win against Michigan.

 

 

 

Michigan Wolverines: On Upset Alert?

Michigan is a No. 5 seed, but their journey in the tournament hasn't been easy. The Wolverines ended the season on a high note, winning the Big Ten Tournament thanks to key plays from Tre Donaldson and Vlad Goldin.

Still, their record as favorites (1-11 against the spread in their last 12 games) raises some red flags. Their defense has been up and down, giving up an average of 71.4 points per game, and their three-point shooting at 33.6% is not very reliable.

Even though they have experience in tournaments, they need to stay focused and avoid mistakes against a UCSD team that has nothing to lose. Will the Wolverines become another high seed to fall during the madness of March?

 

 

 

How To Watch Round Of 64 March Madness 2025

The thrilling Round of 64 in the NCAA Tournament kicks off today, featuring exciting matchups and unforgettable moments.

If you want to catch all the action of our UC San Diego vs. Michigan predictions and other games, there are multiple ways to watch.

TV Channels

  • CBS, TNT, TBS, truTV

Streaming Options

  • March Madness Live, YouTube TV, Hulu + Live TV, Sling TV

UC San Diego vs. Michigan Game Details

  • Date: Thursday, March 20, 2025
  • Location: Ball Arena, Denver, CO
  • Start Time: 10:00 PM ET
  • TV: TBS

 

 

 

UC San Diego vs. Michigan Odds, Spreads, Total & Betting Lines

BetMGM Sportsbook quickly published UC San Diego vs. Michigan odds and lines for the first-round game immediately following the announcement. Here are the latest figures:

  • UC San Diego Tritons (+118) vs. Michigan Wolverines (-145)
    • Spread: UC San Diego +2.5 (-115) vs. Michigan -2.5 (-105)
    • Game Total: Over 142.5 (-115) vs. Under 142.5 (-105)

 

 

 

UC San Diego vs. Michigan Spread Pick: Wolverines -2.5 (-105 at BetMGM)

I’m going with Michigan -2.5 (-105 at BetMGM) for my UC San Diego vs. Michigan picks, and there are some solid reasons behind my choice. UC San Diego just doesn’t have the height to compete with Michigan’s frontcourt.

The Tritons lack a regular-rotation player over 6'8", while the Wolverines have two impressive seven-footers, Danny Wolf and Vlad Goldin. Wolf pulls down almost 10 rebounds a game, and both of these big men should excel against a smaller UCSD team that ranks 282nd in rebounding.

Although UCSD has a strong defense (ranking 6th in points allowed), their main strength – forcing turnovers – won’t be as effective in this game. Michigan has struggled with turnovers all season, so it’s not like turnovers are the edge the Tritons need to be able to win.

Additionally, this is the toughest opponent UC San Diego has faced all season, and their size disadvantage could really show. So, for my UC San Diego vs. Michigan predictions, I’m confident in taking Michigan with the small spread.

 

 

 

UC San Diego vs. Michigan Injury Report & Starting Lineup

UC San Diego Tritons Injury Report

  • None

UC San Diego Tritons Projected Starters

  • A. Tait-Jones (G) – (19.5 PPG, 5.5 RPG)
  • T. McGhie (G) – (16.4 PPG, 38.6 3P%)
  • H. Gray (G) – (11.2 PPG, 3.2 SPG)
  • N. Kapic (F) – (10.6 PPG, 5.2 RPG)
  • C. Howell (G) – (5.7 PPG, 2.1 SPG)

Michigan Wolverines Injury Report

  • J. Pippen (G) – Out: Undisclosed
  • S. Walters (F) – Out: Back

Michigan Wolverines Projected Starters

  • V. Goldin (C) – (16.7 PPG, 6.7 RPG)
  • D. Wolf (F) – (12.9 PPG, 9.7 RPG)
  • T. Donaldson (G) – (11.5 PPG, 3.9 APG)
  • N. Burnett (G) – (9.9 PPG, 40.6 3P%)
  • R. Gayle (G) – (9.6 PPG, 2.3 APG)

 

 

 

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