UCLA vs Northwestern Prediction 3/3/25 College Basketball Picks

The UCLA Bruins and Northwestern Wildcats meet on Monday in college basketball action at Welsh-Ryan Arena. Here’s a UCLA vs Northwestern Prediction. This article will include a UCLA vs Northwestern Pick.

UCLA Bruins Betting Preview

The UCLA Bruins (20-9, 16-12-1 ATS) are playing in a hot and cold form lately. After going through a great period and seven consecutive wins, UCLA lost three of the last five games. The most recent defeat came to Purdue on the road, while the previous two came to Minnesota and Illinois. UCLA is 6th in the Big Ten Standings with four wins ahead of Northwestern and four behind the leaders Michigan State.

UCLA is averaging 74.4 PPG (178th) and is allowing 65.0 PPG (21st). The Bruins are getting 32.5 RPG (364th) and dish out 16.0 APG (58th). Tyler Bilodeau is the team’s top scorer with 13.9 PPG and 4.5 RPG. Eric Dailey Jr. adds 11.5 PPG, 4.1 RPG, and 1.3 BPG, while Sebastian Mack contributes 9.9 PPG, 2.1 RPG, and 1.0 SPG.

Northwestern Wildcats Betting Preview

The Northwestern Wildcats (16-13, 15-14 ATS) finally recorded consecutive wins for the first time in 2025. Northwestern bounced back from a poor stretch of six defeats in seven games with three straight victories over Ohio State, Minnesota, and Iowa. Two of those wins came on the road, and what is encouraging for the Wildcats, they kept the opponents below 64 points in all three. Northwestern is 12th in the Big Ten Standings with the same record as Nebraska, Minnesota, and Rutgers.

Northwestern averages 73.3 PPG (214th) and allows 69.0 PPG (89th). The Wildcats are 269th in rebounds (34.3) and 134th in assists (14.5). Nick Martinelli leads the team with 19.9 PPG and 6.1 RPG. Brooks Barnhizer follows him with 17.1 PPG, a team-high 8.8 RPG, a team-high 4.2 APG, a team-high 2.3 SPG, and 1.1 BPG, while Jalen Leach has 14.3 PPG, 2.1 RPG, 3.4 APG, and 1.0 SPG.

Why UCLA will beat Northwestern

• UCLA has won nine of its last 12 games against the Big Ten Conference.

Why Northwestern will beat UCLA

• Northwestern has won 16 of its last 17 night games at Welsh-Ryan Arena against non-AP-ranked opponents.
• UCLA has lost three of its last four night games against the Big Ten Conference.

Total Points Facts

• Fifteen of Northwestern’s last 16 night games against the Big Ten Conference at Welsh-Ryan Arena have produced a total of 133+ points.
• Each of UCLA’s last four road games against Conference opponents has produced a total of 140+ points.

Matchup/League Facts

• Northwestern ranks 23rd among Division 1 teams for turnovers per game this season (9.8).
• Northwestern ranks 33rd among Division 1 teams for opponent field goal attempts per game this season (54.4).
• UCLA ranks T15th among Division 1 teams for opponent field goals made per game this season (22.0).
• UCLA ranks 19th among Division 1 teams for opponent assist-to-turnover ratio this season (0.81).

UCLA vs Northwestern Prediction

I expect a close game that could go either way, so I’ll restrain from betting on the winner. Seven of Northwestern’s last ten games went Over, and although these teams have solid defenses, I believe they can combine for at least 135 points. Northwestern’s games tend to be tight this year; the Wildcats did play four overtimes already. I won’t be surprised if another OT occurs in this clash with UCLA, and even if the game is decided in regulation, I expect to go down to the wire and a lot of free throws late. Northwestern has hit the Game Total Over in 22 of its last 35 games, while UCLA has hit the Game Total Over in 9 of its last 13 away games.