UCLA vs Michigan State Prediction 2/17/2026 Today’s College Basketball Picks

In this article, we will formulate a UCLA vs Michigan State Prediction for this college basketball game on Tuesday, February 17th. Let’s take a look at the prediction for this college basketball matchup.

Michigan State Spartans Preview

The Michigan State Spartans have a 20-5 overall record and a 10-4 record in the Big Ten. They are coming off a 92-71 road loss against Wisconsin and their previous three games were an 85-82 home win against Illinois, a 76-73 road loss against Minnesota and an 83-71 home loss against Michigan.

Offensively, Michigan State averages 78.8 points per game, while allowing 66.7 points per game defensively. The Spartans shoot with 47% from the field and grab 41.2 rebounds per game, while dishing out 18.5 assists per game. They average 4.3 blocks per game and 5.5 steals per game defensively.

Jeremy Fears Jr. leads Michigan State in scoring, with an average of 15.1 points per game, while shooting with 43.3% from the field and 90.3% from the free throw line, adding a team-high 9.2 assists. Jaxon Kohler is the team’s leading rebounder with 9.3 per game.

UCLA Bruins Preview

The UCLA Bruins have a 17-8 overall record and a 9-5 record in the Big Ten. They are coming off an 86-56 road loss against Michigan and their previous three games were a 77-73 home win against Washington, a 98-66 home win against Rutgers and a 98-97 home loss against Indiana.

Offensively, UCLA averages 77.9 points per game, while allowing 70.5 points per game defensively. The Bruins shoot with 47% from the field and grab 32.7 rebounds per game, while dishing out 15.4 assists per game. They average 3.2 blocks per game and 6.5 steals per game defensively.

Tyler Bilodeau leads UCLA in scoring, with an average of 17.9 points per game, while shooting with 51.4% from the field and 85.3% from the free throw line. Eric Dailey Jr. is the team’s leading rebounder with 5.6 per game. Donovan Dent leads the team in assists with 7 per game.

UCLA Bruins @ Michigan State Spartans Betting Trends: February 17, 2026

Why the Michigan State Spartans will win

• Michigan State has won each of its last 10 games at Jack Breslin Student Events Center against non-AP-ranked opponents.
• UCLA has lost seven of its last eight games against AP-ranked opponents.
• Michigan State has won the first half in nine of its last 10 games at Jack Breslin Student Events Center against non-AP-ranked opponents.

Why the UCLA Bruins will win

• UCLA has won seven of its last eight night games.
• Michigan State has lost five of its last six February night games as a top-10 AP-ranked team against a non-AP-ranked team.
• Michigan State has lost the first half in each of its last eight February games as a top-15 AP-ranked team against a non-AP-ranked team.

Total Points Facts

• Each of Michigan State’s last six games have produced a total of 139+ points.
• Each of UCLA’s last four games have produced a total of 142+ points.

UCLA vs Michigan State Prediction

In this UCLA vs Michigan State Prediction, Michigan State is coming as -8.5 home favorites. Michigan State has been the better team this season and have been extremely strong at home with a 12-2 record, but they have been struggling lately with three losses in their last four games. I don’t trust UCLA either, as it is 2-5 against the spread on the road and 1-3 ATS in its last 4 game, so it’s a pass on the side. Both teams are 8-1 to the over in their last 9 games combined, so I will go with the over 137.5 points in this one.

Nikos Lagouretos's Pick: Over 137.5