UCLA Bruins vs Rutgers Scarlet Knights NCAA Basketball Betting Pick & Prediction 1/13/25
Betting on today’s Bruins and Scarlet Knights game? Catch the action at Jersey Mike’s Arena in Piscataway, NJ, as the Scarlet Knights hosts this showdown at 6:30 ET on FS1. UCLA come into this Big Ten conference matchup as the -2.5 favorite. The over/under line currently sits at 139 points.
UCLA BRUINS VS RUTGERS SCARLET KNIGHTS BETTING PICK
The Pick: Rutgers Scarlet Knights +2.5
This game will be played at Jersey Mike’s Arena at 6:30 ET on Monday, January 13th.
WHY BET THE RUTGERS SCARLET KNIGHTS:
- We have this one finishing with a projected score of 78-67 in favor of the Scarlet Knights.
- Not only will Rutgers pick up the win, but look for them to cover at +2.5.
- The over/under is currently sitting at 139 points, and we like the over with a projected 145 points.
Will the Bruins Win on the Road?
UCLA Bruins Recent Game/Games
UCLA fell to 11-5 on the season after a 79-61 road loss to Maryland on Friday. The Bruins entered the game as +5 point underdogs and failed to cover the spread. The total points for the game ended at 140, just over the pre-game O/U line of 137.5.
After trailing 40-36 at halftime, UCLA struggled in the 2nd half, scoring only 25 points while allowing 39.
In their last game, UCLA managed just 61 points, shooting 41.5% from the field with an effective field goal percentage of 47.2%. They hit 33.3% of their threes, going 6-for-18, and connected on 78.6% of their free throws, making 11-of-14 attempts.
Ja’Kobi Gillespie led the Bruins with 27 points, hitting 4-of-8 from beyond the arc and shooting 53.8% overall. Tyler Bilodeau added 18 points, shooting 58.3%, while Julian Reese contributed 16 points on 7-of-8 shooting, grabbing 10 rebounds.
UCLA’s defense struggled in their last game, giving up 79 points on 54% shooting from the field. They allowed their opponent to connect on 64% of their two-point attempts, with 20 makes on 31 tries.
From beyond the arc, UCLA’s opponent shot 36%, hitting 7 of 19 three-pointers. They also sent them to the free-throw line 21 times, where they converted 18 for 85%. UCLA allowed 8 offensive rebounds.
Will Rutgers Find a Way to Win at Home?
Rutgers Scarlet Knights Recent Game/Games
The Scarlet Knights dropped to 8-8 on the season after a 68-50 loss to Purdue on Thursday. Rutgers, who were +3 point underdogs, not only lost but also failed to cover the spread. The combined points for the game were 118, well below the O/U line of 147.5.
Rutgers trailed 33-24 at halftime and couldn’t mount a comeback, scoring just 26 points in the 2nd half while allowing 35.
Rutgers struggled offensively in their last game, scoring just 50 points with a field goal percentage of 32.7% and an effective field goal percentage of 38.5%. They hit 30.4% of their three-point attempts, going 7-for-23 from deep, and connected on 34.5% of their two-point shots, finishing 10-for-29 inside the arc.
Despite their shooting woes, Rutgers made 81.8% of their free throws, hitting 9 of 11 attempts, and grabbed 10 offensive rebounds. Ace Bailey led the team with 17 points, shooting 33.3% overall and 44.4% from three-point range, while also adding 7 rebounds.
Rutgers put on a defensive clinic, holding their opponent to just 68 points on 32% shooting from the field. The Scarlet Knights were particularly effective inside, limiting their opponent to 34% on two-point attempts.
From beyond the arc, Rutgers allowed 7 threes on 23 attempts, a 30% success rate. They also sent their opponent to the line 11 times, where they made 9 free throws.