UCLA vs UCF Prediction 3/20/26 College Basketball Picks Today

In this article we will formulate a UCLA vs UCF prediction for this College Basketball game on Friday, March 20th at Xfinity Mobile Arena in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Let’s take a look at the prediction for this NCAA Tournament matchup.

UCLA Bruins Betting Preview

The UCLA Bruins are 23-11 (13-7) this year after they lost to Purdue by a score of 73-66 in their last game. UCLA trailed 34-27 at halftime, but they did score 39 points in the second half in the loss. The Bruins shot 44% from the field, 35% on three pointers, and 82% on free throws in the game. Trent Perry led UCLA with 15 points and nine assists, while Xavier Booker added 12 points and one rebound in the loss. 

Prior to that game, UCLA defeated Michigan State by a score of 88-84 and Rutgers by a score of 72-59. The Bruins have scored 77.7 points per game with 32.3 rebounds and 16.3 assists per game, while they have allowed 71.0 points against per game this season. Tyler Bilodeau is averaging 17.6 points and 5.6 rebounds per game, while Donovan Dent is averaging 13.5 points and 7.6 assists per game for the Bruins. UCLA is shooting 47.1% from the field, 76.7% on free throws, and 38.2% on three pointers this year. 

UCF Knights Betting Preview

The UCF Knights are 21-11 (9-9) this season after they lost to Arizona by a score of 81-59 in their last game. UCF trailed 46-30 at halftime and they only scored 29 points in the second half in the lopsided loss. The Knights shot 37% from the field, 14% on three pointers, and 67% on free throws in the game. Themus Fulks led UCF with 14 points and three rebounds, while Jordan Burks added 10 points and three rebounds in the loss. 

Prior to that game, UCF defeated Cincinnati by a score of 66-65, but lost to West Virginia by a score of 77-62 before that. The Knights have scored 81.0 points per game with 37.2 rebounds and 15.8 assists per game, while they have allowed 78.5 points against per game this season. Riley Kugel is averaging 14.4 points and 3.1 rebounds per game, while Themus Fulks is averaging 14.1 points and 6.7 assists per game for the Knights. UCF is shooting 46.6% from the field, 74.0% on free throws, and 36.2% on three pointers this year. 

Why the UCLA Bruins will win

• UCLA has won each of its last seven night games against non-AP-ranked opponents.
• UCF has lost four of its last five games.
• UCLA has won the first half in 12 of its last 13 games against non-AP-ranked opponents at a neutral venue.

Why the UCF Knights will win

• UCF has won each of its last 13 night games against non-Conference opponents.
• UCLA has lost each of its last four games against non-Conference opponents at neutral venues.
• UCF has won the first half in 10 of its last 12 night games against non-Conference opponents.

Total Points Facts

• Each of UCLA’s last 19 games against non-AP-ranked opponents at a neutral venue have produced a total of 152 or fewer points.
• Four of UCF’s last five games at a neutral venue have produced a total of 144 or fewer points.

Matchup/League Facts

• UCLA ranks T5th 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).
• UCF ranks 23rd among Division 1 teams for field goals made per game this season (29.7).
• UCF ranks 25th among Division 1 teams for field goal attempts per game this season (62.7).

UCLA vs UCF Prediction 

UCLA comes into this matchup after a deep run in the Big Ten Tournament, but they are worried about their leading scorer, Tyler Bilodeau, who was hurt in their win against MSU. The Bruins are shooting 47% from the field and they have scored 88+ points in two of their last four. UCF has lost four of their last five games and their only win during that span was due to a collapse by Cincinnati in the final minutes. The Knights are shooting 47% from the field and they have allowed 77+ in four of their last five. This is a big spread for a 7 vs 10 matchup, but I like UCLA to win easily.