Iowa vs UCLA Prediction 1/17/25 College Basketball Picks

UCLA (11-6) vs Iowa (12-5)

Game Info: Friday, January 17, 2025 at 9:00 pm (Pauley Pavilion)

Betting Odds: UCLA -7 -- Over/Under: 155 Click Here for the Latest Odds

Where to Watch: FS1

The Iowa Hawkeyes are visiting the UCLA Bruins on Friday, January 17th at the Pauley Pavilion. We will look at this from a betting perspective and determine the best bets for this game. Here’s an Iowa Hawkeyes vs UCLA Bruins Prediction. We will examine:

The UCLA Bruins' recent form and player performance

The Iowa Hawkeyes' recent form and player performance

Recent betting trends and streaks involving the UCLA Bruins

Recent betting trends and streaks involving the Iowa Hawkeyes

Recent betting trends in games played between Iowa Hawkeyes and UCLA Bruins

A summary that ties it all together and produces a favorable betting outcome for the Iowa Hawkeyes vs UCLA Bruins game

UCLA Bruins Preview

The UCLA Bruins have an 11-6 record this season and are sitting in 14th place in the Big Ten. UCLA is coming off a 68-75 loss to Rutgers. The Bruins are 9-8 against the spread, and 6-11 in over/under while having an 8-1 home record. 

Offensively, UCLA is averaging 74.6 points per game, which ranks 202nd in the nation. Defensively, they allow 63.4 points per game, which is the 18th-best nationally. The Bruins shoot 45.9% from the field (139th) and 33.2% from beyond the arc (214th). The Bruins shoot 69.9% from the free-throw line (239th) and are grabbing 33.5 rebounds per game (202nd).

Tyler Bilodeau leads UCLA in scoring with an average of 14.4 points and 5.1 rebounds, while Eric Dailey adds 11.6 points and 4.4 rebounds.

Iowa Hawkeyes Preview

The Iowa Hawkeyes have a 12-5 record this season and are sitting in 10th place in the Big Ten. The Hawkeyes are coming off an 89-99 loss to USC. The Hawkeyes are 9-8 against the spread, and 11-6 in over/under, while having a 0-3 road record this season.

Offensively, Iowa is averaging 89.5 points per game, which is the best in the nation. Defensively, they allow 78 points per game (323rd). The Hawkeyes shoot 51% from the field which is the 6th-best in the nation, and 39.8% from beyond the arc (12th). The Hawkeyes shoot with 68.6% from the free-throw line (275th), and are grabbing 33.1 rebounds per game (320th).

Owen Freeman leads Iowa in scoring with an average of 17.1 points and a team-high 6.7 rebounds, while Payton Sandfort adds 17.1 points, 5.6 rebounds, and 3.4 assists. Iowa will face Minnesota, Penn State, and Ohio State following this one.

Why the UCLA Bruins will win

  • UCLA has won each of its last nine games at Edwin W. Pauley Pavilion presented by Wescon against non-AP-ranked opponents.
  • Iowa has lost 14 of its last 16 road night games against the Big Ten Conference.
  • UCLA has won the first half in each of its last eight games at Edwin W. Pauley Pavilion presented by Wescon against non-AP-ranked opponents.

Why the Iowa Hawkeyes will win

  • Iowa has won seven of its last eight games following a road loss.
  • UCLA has lost each of its last four games.

Iowa Hawkeyes vs UCLA Bruins Prediction

In this Iowa Hawkeyes vs UCLA Bruins Prediction, UCLA is coming as -7 home favorites. The Hawkeyes are one of the best offensive teams in the nation, as they score the most points than any other team, and are top-12 in both shooting percentages. Iowa is winning their opponents by an average of 11.5 points per game, but have been winless on the road this season, and failed to cover in their last two road defeats. UCLA is struggling lately with four consecutive wins, as they failed to cover in each of those games, so I don’t see any value on either side. Both teams have been involved in some higher-scoring games lately, as they are 8-1 to the over in their last 9 games combined, Iowa has the best offense in the nation, and UCLA’s defense has been struggling lately. Take the over.

The pick in this article is the opinion of the writer, not a PickDawgz site consensus.

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