The UCLA Bruins and Michigan State Spartans meet Friday in the college basketball Big Ten Quarterfinal at the United Center. Here’s a Michigan State vs. UCLA prediction. This article will include a Michigan State vs. UCLA pick.
UCLA Bruins Betting Preview
The UCLA Bruins beat USC and Rutgers. UCLA has won 5 of its last 6 games.
The UCLA Bruins are averaging 78 points on 47.2 percent shooting and allowing 70.9 points on 43.4 percent shooting. Tyler Bilodeau is averaging 18 points and 5.8 rebounds, while Donovan Dent is averaging 13.6 points and 2.6 rebounds. Trent Perry is the third double-digit scorer and Skyy Clark is grabbing 2.4 rebounds. The UCLA Bruins are shooting 38.2 percent from beyond the arc and 76.3 percent from the free throw line. The UCLA Bruins are allowing 31.2 percent shooting from deep and are grabbing 29.4 rebounds per game.
Michigan State Spartans Betting Preview
The Michigan State Spartans beat Rutgers and lost to Michigan. Michigan State has won 6 of its last 8 games.
The Michigan State Spartans are averaging 78.7 points on 47.1 percent shooting and allowing 67 points on 40.6 percent shooting. Jeremy Fears Jr. is averaging 15.5 points and 9.1 assists, while Jaxon Kohler is averaging 12.8 points and 9.1 rebounds. Coen Carr is the third double-digit scorer and Carson Cooper is grabbing 7.1 rebounds. The Michigan State Spartans are shooting 35.5 percent from beyond the arc and 76.2 percent from the free throw line. The Michigan State Spartans are allowing 32.4 percent shooting from deep and are grabbing 38.3 rebounds per game.
Why the Michigan State Spartans will win
- Michigan State has won each of its last 11 games as an AP-ranked team against a non-AP-ranked team at neutral venues.
- UCLA has lost each of its last 10 games against Top 10 AP-ranked opponents at a neutral venue.
- Michigan State has won the first half in each of its last five Conference Tournament night games.
Why the UCLA Bruins will win
- UCLA has won nine of its last 10 night games.
- Michigan State has lost three of its last four games at the United Center when playing with a rest advantage.
- UCLA has won the first half in each of its last six Conference Tournament night games.
Total Points Facts
- Eight of UCLA’s last nine night games against AP-ranked opponents have produced a total of 142 or fewer points.
- Seven of Michigan State’s last eight night games have produced a total of 149+ points.
Matchup/League Facts
- Michigan State ranks 1st among Division 1 teams for opponent rebounds per game this season (28.4).
- Michigan State ranks 3rd among Division 1 teams for rebound percentage this season (58.5%).
- UCLA ranks 5th among Division 1 teams for turnovers per game this season (9.0).
- UCLA ranks 7th among Division 1 teams for opponent steals per game this season (4.9).
Michigan State vs UCLA Prediction
Michigan State is getting a lot of love in this matchup, but it’s had a lot of rest since playing Michigan. UCLA is coming off a strong performance against Rutgers and is playing some of its most consistent ball overall lately. UCLA is a balanced team with an offense that can stretch this Michigan State defense, and the previous meeting in East Lansing wasn’t a true showing of what this Bruins side can do. A bit of a revenge spot and I like UCLA having a game under its belt vs. the rest. UCLA is live in this spot. I’ll grab the buckets.