Minnesota vs UCLA: Expert College Basketball Predictions For February 18, 2025

Minnesota and UCLA clash in a Big Ten matchup on Tuesday night in college basketball. Get college basketball picks for today around Minnesota vs UCLA battling in a conference showdown in Los Angeles, CA!

Here’s a breakdown of predictions and picks for this Big Ten matchup tipping off at 10:30PM ET on February 18, 2025!

Minnesota vs UCLA Game Details

Date: Tuesday, February 18, 2025
Time: 10:30 PM ET / 7:30 PM PT
Broadcast: FS1
Location: Pauley Pavilion, Los Angeles, CA
Spread: UCLA -11.5 | Total: 131.5

Minnesota vs UCLA Betting Preview

Tip your cap to the job that Ben Johnson has done in Minneapolis this year because there was a group (of which we were a part of) that thought the Gophers would struggle to win more than a game or two in the Big Ten this season.

Since mid-January, Minnesota has gone 5-4 straight-up, 6-3 against the spread. The Gophers have attracted some money on Tuesday morning, but we’re interested in grabbing the discounted price on UCLA.

The formula for competing with the Bruins is fairly simple: Can you make outside shots and force UCLA out of its defensive shell? If the answer to that is “no,” then you’re probably not going to enjoy your trip to Pauley Pavilion.

The Bruins’ defense allows the most three-point attempts in the Big Ten. If you can make them, then Mick Cronin is forced to adjust his defense. If you can’t make them, then the Bruins are going to feast on you.

Minnesota is outside the top-260 in three-point shot volume. Made three-pointers only account for 28.7-percent of Minnesota’s points this season.

The Gophers are also bottom-20 in the country in free throw shooting at just 65.4-percent. So they don’t shoot three-pointers, and look to do everything on the interior.

And when they do attack the rim and get fouled, they are bottom-20 in the country at free throw shooting. That simply does not look like a recipe for success in this matchup with UCLA.

Minnesota vs UCLA Predictions

Since Coach Cronin went on his latest rant about Big Ten travel in mid-January, the Bruins have gone 8-1 straight-up, 6-2-1 against the spread. UCLA is 9-4-1 against the spread at home this season.

UCLA is 7-2 against the spread as a double-digit favorite. UCLA has had an extra day to prep for this one after playing last Friday. We’re expecting the Bruins to take care of business in comfortable fashion.

Minnesota vs UCLA Prediction: UCLA -11.5

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