UCLA (11-2) vs. Nebraska (11-2)
January 4, 2025 2:00 pm EDT
The Line: Nebraska +1.5; Over/Under: 137.5
(Get latest betting odds)
In this article, we will formulate a Nebraska vs UCLA Prediction for this college basketball game on Saturday, January 4th, at the Pinnacle Bank Arena. Let’s take a look at a Nebraska Cornhuskers vs UCLA Bruins Pick.
UCLA Defense Continues to Impress
UCLA’s defense has continued to impress and the biggest reason has been because of the defense. UCLA sits with a 1-2 record overall and in the last game against Gonzaga they were able to secure the 65-63 victory. In the first half, the defense gave up only 25 points and that was enough to hold on for the victory. UCLA as a team shot 36.4 percent from the field and 50 percent from behind the three-point line. Gonzaga shot 45.5 percent and 29.2 percent from behind the three-point line. Eric Dailey Jr put up 18 points, six rebounds, and two assists.
UCLA has gone 9-4 against the spread so far this year, and the over has only hit on three of their 13 games. UCLA on the season is averaging 77.4 points while their defense is giving up 58.7 points per game. The offense is ranked 140th in the league while the defense is ranked 66th. Tyler Bilodeau has been the top player averaging 14.5 points while shooting 49 percent from the field and 41.9 percent from behind the three-point line. UCLA is dealing with all kinds of injury issues heading into this game. William Kyle III is out on Saturday. Evan Manjikian is also dealing with an undisclosed injury and he’s out.
Why UCLA Will Beat Nebraska
- UCLA has won 10 of its last 11 games.
- Nebraska has lost each of its last five day games against AP-ranked opponents at Pinnacle Bank Arena.
- Nebraska has lost the first half in 15 of its last 18 games against AP-ranked opponents at Pinnacle Bank Arena.
Nebraska Has Won Five Straight Games
Nebraska is playing well heading into this game and they have won five games in a row. In the last game against Southern, Nebraska scored 77 points but even worse was the defense that gave up 43 points and that was the difference. In the first half, the defense gave up only 15 points and that was enough for an easy victory. Connor Essegian had a strong game putting up 20 points. Two games ago against Oregon State, Nebraska scored 78 points and they ended up winning by 12 points. This is a defense that has a lot of confidence heading into this game, and that will need to continue to be the case here.
The Cornhuskers are averaging 77.7 points while their defense is giving up 65.1 points per game. The offense is ranked 128th in the league while the defense is ranked 40th in the league. Guard Brice Williams is averaging 19 points while shooting 51.7 percent from the field and 42.6 percent from behind the three-point line. The Cornhusker had three different players that put up at least 11.7 points. Ahron Ulis is dealing with an injury, and it’s unclear if he’s going to be able to go in this game. Nebraska will meet Iowa, Purdue, Rutgers, Maryland, and USC after this game.
Why Nebraska Will Beat UCLA
- Nebraska has won each of its last 11 games against the Big Ten Conference at Pinnacle Bank Arena.
- UCLA has lost five of its last six day games against Conference opponents.
- UCLA has lost the first half in four of its last five day games against Conference opponents.
Nebraska vs UCLA Prediction
Nebraska and UCLA are both going to lockdown here with the defense, and that is going to be the difference here. UCLA’s defense is giving p only 58.7 points per game and they are going to step up in a big way here. Nebraska is giving up 65.1 points per game but they are going to be even better here. This is going to be a slow-paced game with both teams really struggling to get anything going. Back the under.
