The UCLA Bruins take on the Northwestern Wildcats in Evanston, Ill. Tip-off is set for 9 p.m. ET on FS1.
UCLA is favored by 3.5 points on the spread with a moneyline of -170. The total is set at 132.5 points.
Here’s my UCLA vs. Northwestern predictions and college basketball picks for March 3, 2025.
UCLA vs Northwestern Prediction
My Pick: UCLA -3.5 (Play to -4)
My UCLA vs Northwestern best bet is on the Bruins to cover the spread, with the best odds currently available at BetRivers. For all of your college basketball bets, be sure to find the best lines by using our live NCAAB odds page.
UCLA vs Northwestern Odds
| UCLA Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
-3.5 -110 | 132.5 -108o / -112u | -170 |
| Northwestern Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
+3.5 -110 | 132.5 -108o / -112u | +142 |
- UCLA vs Northwestern spread: UCLA -3.5 (-110), Northwestern +3.5 (-110)
- UCLA vs Northwestern over/under: 132.5 (-108o / -112u)
- UCLA vs Northwestern moneyline: UCLA -170, Northwestern +142
- UCLA vs Northwestern best bet: UCLA -3.5 (Play to -4)
Spread
My best bet for this game is on UCLA to cover the spread. Northwestern has suffered several injuries, and the Bruins should find a way to pull it out late — even with the game taking place in the Midwest.
Moneyline
While I'm betting the Bruins to cover, I'm not betting the juiced moneyline. I'll take UCLA to cover the spread instead.
Over/Under
I don't have a bet on the total in this game.
My Pick: UCLA -3.5 (Play to -4)
Northwestern vs UCLA Betting Trends
UCLA vs Northwestern College Basketball Betting Preview
Mick Cronin’s aversions to these frequent road trips to the Midwest are well-documented. That kind of travel can be a heavy burden on the players
Fortunately for the Bruins, they have been in the region for a few days already. They played at Purdue on Friday, which is an easy drive to Chicago for a weekend in the city.
The last time UCLA had this kind of trip, it narrowly won and covered at Indiana (won 72-68 as a two-point favorite). This matchup is extremely similar, taking on a squad ranking just inside the top 50 in KenPom as a short road favorite.
Northwestern, though, is not the same team it was for most of the season. Starters Brooks Barnhizer and Jalen Leach are both out for the season, kneecapping the Wildcats’ offense and forcing a different style on coach Chris Collins.
Without that duo, Northwestern has to play in the muck, slowing the game down and turning it into a physical brawl.
Unfortunately for them, the Wildcats merely adopted the dark; Mick Cronin and UCLA were born in it.
The Bruins thrive in such physical slogs, using their ball pressure and impressive frontcourt to bludgeon opponents into submission.
This one very likely will not be pretty. I do not anticipate a blowout. But given the current structure of both teams, coupled with UCLA’s comfort in this style and lack of travel, I think UCLA can eventually pull away late.
