The Cal Poly Mustangs take on the UCLA Bruins in Los Angeles, CA. Tip-off is set for 10 p.m. ET on BTN.
UCLA is favored by -25.5 points on the spread, and the total is set at 161.5 points.
Here’s my Cal Poly vs. UCLA predictions and college basketball picks for December 19, 2025.
Cal Poly vs UCLA Prediction
My Pick: Cal Poly +25.5 (Play to +24)
My Cal Poly vs UCLA best bet is on the Mustangs to cover the spread. For all of your college basketball bets, be sure to find the best lines by using our live NCAAB odds page.
Cal Poly vs. UCLA Odds
| Cal Poly Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
+25.5 -115 | 161.5 -110o / -110u | OFF |
| UCLA Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
-25.5 -105 | 161.5 -110o / -110u | OFF |
- Cal Poly vs UCLA spread: UCLA -25.5
- Cal Poly vs UCLA over/under: 161.5 points
Cal Poly vs UCLA College Basketball Betting Preview
This is a big spread for a very competent and well-coached mid-major squad driving just four hours to play in what should be a fairly empty Pauley Pavilion.
UCLA is fat and happy off a win over Arizona State and could certainly sleep its way to a victory on Friday night.
While the Bruins have smashed two teams by nearly 40 (Sacramento State and Presbyterian), multiple mid-major squads — including Eastern Washington, Pepperdine and West Georgia — have played UCLA within 21 points.
Cal Poly plays extremely fast, which is worrisome when backing the less talented dog, but UCLA runs a half-court-based attack and likely won’t be looking to make this a transition-only contest.
As alluded to above, Cal Poly isn't a pushover. Over the past one-and-a-half seasons under Mike DeGeorge, Cal Poly has won at Stanford, hung around at Arizona State and Saint Mary’s, and beat Utah.
Power competition doesn’t scare the Mustangs.
USC did thump them in a 30-point win on opening night, but USC plays much more up-tempo than UCLA and has more offensive firepower.
As is often the case, this game likely comes down to how well Cal Poly is shooting the 3. The Stangs rely on the outside shot (top-20 nationally in 3-point attempt rate), and they have a plethora of capable marksmen.
If they can handle the rock and reasonably limit turnovers against a tough UCLA perimeter defense, they should be able to make enough shots to keep this within 25.
On the other end, Cal Poly has legit positional size to match up with the Bruins on the glass, though UCLA won’t likely find it too difficult to score.
Grip it and rip it on the 'dog and hold on for dear life.
My Pick: Cal Poly +25.5 (Play to +24)
