Northwestern vs UCLA Prediction 1/24/2026 Today’s College Basketball Picks

The Northwestern Wildcats and UCLA Bruins meet Saturday in the college basketball action at the Pauley Pavilion. Here’s a Northwestern vs UCLA Prediction. This article will include a Northwestern vs UCLA Pick.

Northwestern Wildcats Betting Preview

The Northwestern Wildcats lost to Nebraska, beat USC, and they play Penn State next. Northwestern has lost 5 of its last 6 games.

The Northwestern Wildcats are averaging 77.2 points on 46.9 percent shooting and allowing 71.8 points on 42.3 percent shooting. Nick Martinelli is averaging 23.6 points and 6.7 rebounds, while Arrinten Page is averaging 12.6 points and 5.6 rebounds. Jayden Reid is the third double-digit scorer and Tre Singleton is grabbing 4.6 rebounds. The Northwestern Wildcats are shooting 31 percent from beyond the arc and 74.1 percent from the free throw line. The Northwestern Wildcats are allowing 30 percent shooting from deep and are grabbing 29.9 rebounds per game.

UCLA Bruins Betting Preview

The UCLA Bruins beat Purdue, lost to Ohio State, and they play Oregon next. UCLA has split its last 6 games.

The UCLA Bruins are averaging 77.7 points on 47.9 percent shooting and allowing 69.4 points on 42.6 percent shooting. Tyler Bilodeau is averaging 18.2 points and 5.4 rebounds, while Skyy Clark is averaging 13.5 points and 2.8 rebounds. Donovan Dent is the third double-digit scorer and Trent Perry is grabbing 2.7 rebounds. The UCLA Bruins are shooting 37.3 percent from beyond the arc and 76 percent from the free throw line. The UCLA Bruins are allowing 29.6 percent shooting from deep and are grabbing 28.8 rebounds per game.

Why the UCLA Bruins will win

• UCLA has won each of its last 12 games at Edwin W. Pauley Pavilion presented by Wescon against non-AP-ranked opponents.
• Northwestern has lost 14 of its last 15 day games against the Big Ten Conference.

Total Points Facts

• Eight of UCLA’s last nine games against the Big Ten Conference Conference at Edwin W. Pauley Pavilion presented by Wescon have produced a total of 137 or fewer points.
• Six of Northwestern’s last eight day games against non-AP-ranked opponents have produced a total of 146+ points.

Matchup/League Facts

• UCLA ranks 31st among Division 1 teams for opponent three-point percentage this season (29.6%).
• UCLA ranks 35th among Division 1 teams for assist to turnover ratio this season (1.59).
• Northwestern ranks 3rd among Division 1 teams for turnover percentage this season (11.0%).
• Northwestern ranks 6th among Division 1 teams for opponent steals per game this season (4.8).

Northwestern vs UCLA Prediction

You can argue this is a letdown spot for Northwestern after a big road win over USC. This just isn’t the same competitive Northwestern squad it’s been in years past and the offense has been on the struggle bus lately. UCLA has cooled off over the last few weeks and is just 8-11 ATS on the season, but it is undefeated at home and is more efficient on both sides of the ball. I’ll lay the reasonable number with the Bruins at home.

Randy Chambers's Pick: UCLA -7.5