Purdue vs UCLA Prediction 1/20/2026 Today’s College Basketball Picks
Chris Ruffolo
Jan 14, 2026; West Lafayette, Indiana, USA; Purdue Boilermakers guard Braden Smith (3) defends against Iowa Hawkeyes guard Bennett Stirtz (14) during the second half at Mackey Arena. Mandatory Credit: Marc Lebryk-Imagn Images
MATCHUP
Purdue Boilermakers
UCLA Bruins
Team Records
17-1
12-6
Spread
-5.5 -112
+5.5 -108
Moneyline
-245
+200
Total
Over 147.5 (-105)
Under 147.5 (-115)
Where
Pauley Pavilion, Los Angeles, CA
When
Tuesday, January 20, 2026
Time
10:00 PM EST
TV
Peacock
The Purdue Boilermakers and the UCLA Bruins meet Tuesday in college basketball action from the Pauley Pavilion. We will look at this from a betting perspective and determine the best bets for this game. Here’s a Purdue Boilermakers vs. UCLA Bruins prediction.
Purdue Boilermakers Recap
The Purdue Boilermakers come into this game looking to add on to their 69-64 win over USC last time out to sit at 17-1 this season. After this game, Purdue will head home for a game against Illinois.
Boilermakers Win 9 In A Row
Braden Smith leads the Boilermakers in scoring and assists wtih 14.7 PPG and 9.4 APG along with 3.7 RPG while Fletcher Loyer has 13.4 PPG with 2.3 RPG and Trey Kaufman-Renn has 12.7 PPG with a team-high 9.1 RPG to lead the Boilermakers in rebounding along with 2.6 APG. Oscar Cluff has 12.2 PPG with 8.2 RPG to cap off the trio of double-digit scorers for Purdue so far this season. As a team, Purdue is averaging 85.1 PPG on 51.3% shooting from the field, 39.2% from three and 74.5% from the foul line this season.
UCLA Bruins Recap
The UCLA Bruins come into this game looking to shake off an 86-74 loss at the hands of Ohio State last time out to sit at 12-6 this season. After this game, UCLA will take on Northwestern at home.
Bruins Have Two-Game Win Streak Snapped
Tyler Bilodeau leads UCLA in scoring with 18.2 PPG with 5.1 RPG while Skyy Clark has 13.5 PPG with 2.8 RPG. Donovan Dent has 13.5 PPG with 2.5 RPG and a team-high 6.5 APG to lead the Bruins in the assist department and Eric Dailey Jr. has 10.1 PPG with 5.5 RPG to lead the Bruins in rebounding and to cap off the group of double-digit scorers for UCLA up to this point in the year. Trent Perry has 9.5 PPG with 2.2 RPG and 2.5 APG and Xavier Booker has 8.4 PPG with 3.9 RPG this season. As a team, UCLA is averaging 80.2 PPG on 48.6% shooting from the field, 38.8% from three and 75.9% from the foul line this season.
Purdue Boilermakers @ UCLA Bruins Betting Trends: January 20, 2026
Why the UCLA Bruins will win
UCLA has won each of its last 12 games at Edwin W. Pauley Pavilion presented by Wescon.
UCLA has won the first half in each of its last eight games against Conference opponents at Edwin W. Pauley Pavilion presented by Wescon.
Why the Purdue Boilermakers will win
Purdue has won each of its last 18 games as a top-10 AP-ranked team against a non-AP-ranked team.
UCLA has lost each of its last six games against AP-ranked opponents.
UCLA has lost the first half in each of its last six games against AP-ranked opponents.
Total Points Facts
Seven of UCLA’s last eight games against Conference opponents at Edwin W. Pauley Pavilion presented by Wescon have produced a total of 137 or fewer points.
Each of Purdue’s last five night games have produced a total of 148+ points.
Matchup/League Facts
UCLA ranks T16th among Division 1 teams for opponent blocks per game this season (2.4).
UCLA ranks 34th among Division 1 teams for turnovers per game this season (10.1).
Purdue ranks 1st among Division 1 teams for assist to turnover ratio this season (2.14).
Purdue ranks 2nd among Division 1 teams for assists per game this season (20.7).
Purdue Boilermakers vs. UCLA Bruins Prediction
I’m on the Boilermakers in this one. I just think Purdue side-by-side is the better team in this game, and while UCLA has a decent squad under Mick Cronin, I just think there’s too much going here in favor of Purdue from a form, and a matchup perspective to think that UCLA will be able to keep it close here. Give me Purdue.
