UCLA vs. Rutgers Predictions, Odds, College Basketball Picks

The UCLA Bruins (11-5, 2-3 Big Ten) stay on the East Coast to take on the Rutgers Scarlet Knights (8-8, 1-4 Big Ten) on Monday night. It’s time to continue our college basketball odds series with the UCLA-Rutgers prediction and selection. We’ll also let you know how to watch the game.

Here’s UCLA-Rutgers College basketball oddscourtesy of FanDuel

College Basketball Odds: UCLA-Rutgers Odds

UCLA: -2.5 (-110)

Moneilines: -144

Rutgers: +2.5 (-110)

Moneilines: +120

Over: 138.5 (-115)

Under: 138.5 (-105)

How to watch UCLA vs. Rutgers

Time: 6:30 PM ET/3:30 PM PT

TV: FS1

*Watch college basketball LIVE with fuboTV (Get Access | Save $30)*

Why UCLA will cover the spread/win

Rutgers hasn’t played well lately. They are on a three game losing streak, all of which were conference games. Two of those games were also at home. In those games, Rutgers really struggled to score. The Scarlet Knights are averaging just 62.3 points per game. That’s not nearly enough to win any game, let alone a Big Ten game. If Rutgers continues to struggle from the floor, they will beat themselves on Monday night.

With Rutgers’ poor offensive play, UCLA should be able to return to its solid defensive play. The Bruins have struggled the last two games, defensively, but don’t expect that to be the case in this game. On the season, UCLA is allowing just 62.6 points per game, the lowest in the Big Ten. They also hold the teams for the fewest field goals per game and the most turnovers in the conference. Rutgers has the third-lowest field goal percentage in the conference and doesn’t shoot the three-pointer very well. If UCLA can hold Rutgers down low, they will be able to win this game.

Why Rutgers will cover the spread/win

Rutgers must take advantage of the struggling Bruins. UCLA has lost four of their last five games and they are not playing well. Coach Mick Cronin let them knowalso. He had a fiery response at the press conference, and was ejected from the last game. In UCLA’s last five games, the Bruins have scored just 66.6 points per game. That’s almost 10 points less than their season average. They have three games in which they scored 65 points or less in that span. Rutgers has a great chance to end its losing streak Monday night without UCLA’s offense.

Rutgers wins games with its offense. They are averaging just under 75 points per game and have scored at least 75 points in six of their eight wins this season. In the last two games, UCLA allowed 94 points to Michigan and 79 points to Maryland. That’s a lot higher than their season average, but it looks like UCLA will struggle a lot more in Big Ten play. If Rutgers can take advantage of this tough UCLA team, they will be back in the win column on Monday night.

UCLA-Rutgers Final Prediction and Pick

This could end up being a close game between two teams in desperate need of a win. Rutgers has more star power with Dylan Harper and Ace Bailey, but the team’s record doesn’t show it. However, UCLA seems to be on the decline, so I’ll take Rutgers to win this game outright.

UCLA-Rutgers Final Prediction and Pick: Rutgers ML (+120)