The Northwestern Wildcats take on the UCLA Bruins in Los Angeles, California. Tip-off is set for 6 p.m. ET on Fox Sports 1.
UCLA is favored by 6.5 points on the spread with a moneyline of -300. The total is set at 143.5 points.
Here’s my Northwestern vs. UCLA prediction and college basketball picks for January 24, 2026.
Northwestern vs UCLA Prediction
My Pick: Over 143.5 or Better
My Northwestern vs UCLA best bet is on the over. For all of your college basketball bets, be sure to find the best lines by using our live NCAAB odds page.
Northwestern vs. UCLA Odds, Pick
| Northwestern Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
+6.5 -110 | 143.5 -110o / -110u | +240 |
| UCLA Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
-6.5 -110 | 143.5 -110o / -110u | -300 |
- Northwestern vs UCLA spread: UCLA -6.5
- Northwestern vs UCLA over/under: 143.5 points
- Northwestern vs UCLA moneyline: Northwestern +240, UCLA -300
Northwestern vs UCLA NCAAB Betting Preview
I project this total closer to 146.5, so I would bet the Over at any three-point difference.
Northwestern's interior defense has regressed from previous seasons. The Wildcats aren't an elite ball-screen, post-up, or rim-denial defense anymore, meaning Donovan Dent and Tyler Bilodeau should be able to create without much resistance.
While Mick Cronin's hedging defense might force the ball out of the hands of the Northwestern guards, Big Ten leading scorer Nick Martinelli will have plenty of chances to score off the roll — this is a prettty good matchup for him.
My Pick: Over 143.5 or Better
