UCLA vs Purdue: Expert College Basketball Predictions For February 28, 2025

UCLA and Purdue clash in a Big Ten matchup on Friday night in college basketball. Get college basketball picks for today around UCLA vs Purdue battling in a conference showdown in West Lafayette, IN!

Here’s a breakdown of predictions and picks for this Big Ten matchup tipping off at 8:00PM ET on February 28, 2025!

UCLA vs Purdue Game Details

Date: Friday, February 28, 2025
Time: 8:00 PM ET / 5:00 PM PT
Broadcast: FOX
Location: Mackey Arena, West Lafayette, IN
Spread: Purdue -5.5 | Total: 139.5

UCLA vs Purdue Betting Preview

We’ve got one team that really needs a road win, facing a team that could use any win in any location. At the beginning of February, Purdue looked poised to challenge for the Big Ten regular season crown and a possible No. 2 seed in the NCAA Tournament.

The Boilermakers have lost four-straight games and are now in danger of losing a first round bye in the conference tournament.

The top four seeds in the Big Ten will get an automatic path to the quarterfinals. Michigan State, Michigan and Wisconsin are in good shape to secure the first three slots, while Maryland, Purdue and UCLA enter Friday tied for the fourth spot.

The explanation for Purdue’s skid is fairly simple: The Boilermakers can’t defend the paint. Since January 1, Purdue’s defense is LAST in the entire country in two-point shooting percentage allowed.

Worse than Mississippi Valley State. Worse than Arkansas Pine Bluff. Worse than Chicago State. Worse than Canisius.

During this four-game losing streak, Purdue has allowed opponents to shoot 68.8-percent from two-point range. Turnover issues have also popped up recently, which was a major issue for previous Matt Painter teams.

You have to go back a full calendar month (January 31 vs Indiana) to find the last time that Purdue won the turnover battle in a game. It’s fair to question if the Boilermakers are simply hitting a wall right now.

Trey Kaufman-Renn has started every game in West Lafayette over the last two seasons. Braden Smith has started every game over the last three seasons.

Over the last seven games, Smith has played 270 out of a possible 280 minutes. The veteran point guard has committed 12 turnovers in Purdue’s last two games.

Fletcher Loyer has started every game over the last three seasons. UCLA’s Mick Cronin has plenty of detractors, but one thing he does very well is keep his team fresh.

UCLA vs Purdue Predictions

UCLA is top-85 in the country in bench usage. Senior forward Kobe Johnson is the only Bruin to play more than two-thirds of UCLA’s available minutes this season.

UCLA’s defense is No. 4 in the country in forcing turnovers, and is very capable of adding to Purdue’s turnover woes.

The only knock on the Bruins’ resume right now is their lack of road wins. UCLA has one win outside the Western time zone this season: At Indiana on February 14.

We’re not sure if the Bruins will add to that win total, but we are confident that UCLA can stay within this number.

UCLA vs Purdue Prediction: UCLA +5.5

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