UCLA vs Michigan State Prediction 3/13/2026 Today’s College Basketball Picks

The UCLA Bruins and the Michigan State Spartans meet Friday in college basketball action from the United Center. We will look at this from a betting perspective and determine the best bets for this game. Here’s a UCLA Bruins vs. Michigan State Spartans prediction.

UCLA Bruins Recap

The UCLA Bruins come into this game looking to add on to their 72-59 win over Rutgers last time out.

Bruins Looking For Upset

Tyler Bilodeau leads UCLA in scoring with 18 PPG with 5.8 RPG while Skyy Clark has 11.9 PPG with 2.4 RPG. Donovan Dent has 13.6 PPG with 2.6 RPG and a team-high 7.5 APG to lead the Bruins in the assist department and Eric Dailey Jr. has 11.3 PPG with 5.5 RPG to lead the Bruins in rebounding and Trent Perry has 12.4 PPG with 3 RPG and 2.7 APG to cap off the group of double-digit scorers for UCLA up to this point in the year. Xavier Booker has 7 PPG with 3.5 RPG this season. As a team, UCLA is averaging 78 PPG on 47.2% shooting from the field, 38.2% from three and 76.3% from the foul line this season.

Michigan State Spartans Recap

The Michigan State Spartans come into the Big Ten tournament as the 3-seed, finishing the year at 25-6 overall including a 15-5 mark in conference play. 

Spartans Looking For First Conference Tournament Title Since 2019

Jeremy Fears Jr. leads the Spartans in scoring and assists with 15.5 PPG and 9.1 APG while Jaxon Kohler has 12.8 PPG with 9.1 RPG to lead the Spartans in rebounding. Coen Carr had 11.5 PPG with 5.3 RPG and Carson Cooper has 10.7 PPG with 7.1 RPG to cap off the group of double-digit scorers for Sparty so far this season. As a team, Michigan State is averaging 78.8 PPG on 47.1% shooting from the field, 35.5% from three and 76.2% from the foul line this season.

Clemson Tigers @ Duke Blue Devils Betting Trends: March 13, 2026

Why the Duke Blue Devils will win

• Duke has won each of its last 31 games against non-AP-ranked opponents.
• Clemson has lost three of its last four games against AP-ranked opponents at a neutral venue.
• Duke has won the first half in 20 of its last 21 night games as a top-5 AP-ranked team.

Why the Clemson Tigers will win

• Clemson has won each of its last four night games against Top 5 AP-ranked opponents.
• Clemson has won the first half in each of its last five games played at neutral venues.

Total Points Facts

• Each of Duke’s last nine games against non-AP-ranked opponents at a neutral venue have produced a total of 135+ points.
• Each of Clemson’s last seven night games against Top 5 AP-ranked opponents have produced a total of 136+ points.

Matchup/League Facts

• Duke ranks 1st among Division 1 teams for point differential per game this season (+20.5).
• Duke ranks 1st among Division 1 teams for defensive rating this season (93.5).
• Clemson ranks 7th among Division 1 teams for opponent assists per game this season (10.5).
• Clemson ranks 17th among Division 1 teams for opponent field goals made per game this season (22.6).

UCLA Bruins vs. Michigan State Spartans Prediction

I’m on Michigan State here. I just think the Spartans are the better team in this matchup, and while UCLA already had a game under their belts, they got drilled in their step up spots against the Michigan squads earlier this season and I’m not thinking it’s the same margin here, but I do think that Michigan State bags the win and cover here.

Chris Ruffolo's Pick: Michigan State -5.5