Northwestern Wildcats vs UCLA Bruins Picks and Predictions for Saturday January 24 2026

By: Kim Smith Published 01/24/2026, 01:50 AM ET

The Northwestern Wildcats travel west to take on the UCLA Bruins at Pauley Pavilion on Saturday, January 24, 2026, with tipoff scheduled for 6:00 PM. This Big Ten matchup will be televised on FS1. UCLA enters the game as -285 favorites on the moneyline, while Northwestern is listed at +230. The total is set at 143.5 points, with the Over at -115 and the Under at -105, and the spread favors UCLA by 7.5 points. Be sure to check out our free college basketball picks for more NCAA betting coverage.

Wildcats Trying to Build Consistency on the Road

Northwestern comes into this matchup with a 9-10 overall record and has had mixed results away from home. In their last five games, the Wildcats recently won over USC but lost to Nebraska, Illinois, Rutgers, and Michigan State.

Offensively, Northwestern is averaging 77.2 points per game while allowing 71.7 points defensively. They shoot 47% from the field and rely heavily on efficient ball movement.

One key strength for Northwestern is their passing, as they average 18.1 assists per game, which helps them generate quality looks when they can control tempo.

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Bruins Looking to Protect Pauley Pavilion

UCLA enters the game with a 13-6 overall record and has been solid on their home floor. The Bruins recently won over Purdue, Penn State, and Maryland, while suffering losses to Ohio State and Wisconsin.

UCLA averages 77.7 points per game and allows 69.4 points defensively. They shoot 48% from the field and prefer a balanced offensive approach.

Defense has been a strong point for the Bruins, as they consistently limit opponent efficiency and force difficult shots late in possessions.

Northwestern Wildcats vs UCLA Bruins Pick

Northwestern Wildcats vs UCLA Bruins Spread Pick

Pick: UCLA Bruins -7.5

UCLA’s defensive discipline and home-court advantage give them the edge. Northwestern has struggled to string together strong road performances, and UCLA should be able to pull away late.

Northwestern Wildcats vs UCLA Bruins Total Pick

Pick: Under 143.5

I’m taking the Under because both teams play controlled basketball and emphasize half-court sets, which should limit overall possessions.

Final Score Prediction: UCLA 75, Northwestern 66

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