Washington vs UCLA Odds, Picks and Predictions: Bruins Can't Handle the Huskies

It’s been a year to forget for Mick Cronin and the UCLA Bruins. After four straight losses and eight in their last nine games, it’s fair to question just how low this team can go.

Cronin’s squad will look to right the ship at home with a Sunday showdown against the visiting Washington Huskies. 

Looking at college basketball odds, the Huskies are a slight one-point away favorite while the total resides at 140.5. 

How will the Bruins respond following a 46-point loss to Utah that marked the program’s second-largest defeat in program history? Check out my free college basketball picks for Washington vs. UCLA on January 14 to find out. 

Washington vs UCLA best odds

Washington vs UCLA picks and predictions

It was always supposed to take some time for a freshman-heavy roster to gel, but it’s starting to look like things may never come together for the UCLA Bruins. Jan Vide, Aday Mara, Berke Buyuktuncel, and Ilane Fibleuil have all fallen utterly flat during their first year in the States — combining to average under 14 points per game — while the latter two have all but fallen out of the rotation. 

The Bruins have dropped to 118th overall in KenPom and the roster sorely lacks shooting as evidenced by the team's 28.2% three-point average. 

Next up on the schedule are the Washington Huskies, who have been all over the map lately. Washington lost four straight games from December 29 to January 4 — including its first two conference matchups against Utah and Oregon — but the Huskies have since rattled off two straight victories over Oregon State and Arizona State.

Washington HC Mike Hopkins hit the transfer portal hard this offseason, bringing in the team’s second-leading scorer and leading assist man Sahvir Wheeler, the third-leading scorer in Moses Wood, and rotational players Paul Mulcahy and Wilhelm Breidenbach. It seems as though his efforts in the portal have paid off as this is a talented roster that can make some noise in the Pac-12 if it irons out the inconsistencies. 

The Huskies check into this contest ranked 52nd overall in KenPom, playing at a quick tempo (64th in adjusted tempo) to take advantage of their ball-handling and athleticism. It’s worked out pretty well, as they're averaging 81.7 ppg and rank 31st nationally with a 62.1% eFG% in transition (per Hoop-Math). 

There’s been some line movement in favor of UCLA, but I’m not buying it. That’s generally been the case in Bruins home games this season as the market seems to support Cronin and company at Pauley Pavilion, where they’re usually a very tough out. The thing is, that hasn’t been the case this season — UCLA is just 4-4 at home with losses to Cal State Northridge, Maryland, Stanford, and Cal.

That’s not exactly a murderer’s row, and it would look even worse if Dylan Andrews didn’t hit a last-second shot to beat lowly UC Riverside by a single point at home. 

I don’t see any positive signs for this thing turning around any time soon, and I’m not in a hurry to back this team after a 46-point loss to Utah. Washington has more talent and has been the better team this season whereas UCLA has scored less than 60 points in four straight games. 

Give me the Huskies. 

My best bet: Washington -1 (-105 at bet365)

Washington vs UCLA same-game parlay

Washington -1

Washington first-half moneyline

UCLA team total Under 69.5

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UCLA is just 1-6 on the first-half moneyline across its last seven games, routinely getting out to a slow start thanks to its uninspiring offense and general lack of will. Do you really expect UCLA to come out firing on a Sunday afternoon following the second-largest loss in program history? Washington has been solid in the first half lately, grabbing the lead in three of its last four games. 

The Bruins average just 64.2 ppg and have a truly disgusting offense that I’ve wasted more time watching than I’d like to admit. They’ve been held below 60 points in each of their last four games while averaging a measly 53.2 ppg, and Cronin doesn’t seem in a hurry to mix anything up. 

The Bruins haven’t exceeded 69 points since December 19 against Cal State Northridge and have done so just once since November 15 against Division I opponents. 

Learn how to bet a same-game parlay with these helpful tips and strategies.

Washington vs UCLA spread and Over/Under analysis

The Huskies opened at -3 before quickly being bet down to -1. Meanwhile, the total has dropped a half point from 141 to 140.5. Washington has been fairly average at 8-7 ATS while UCLA has been a money-burning 5-10 ATS. 

When looking at the total, UCLA has trended hard toward the Under at 4-11 O/U. That shouldn’t exactly be a surprise considering it can’t shoot, can’t score, and plays at a snail’s pace — ranking 330th in KenPom’s adjusted tempo metric. 

This game is a stark contrast of styles in that Washington likes to push the tempo and regularly plays in games with a total in the 150s. Sunday’s total of 140.5 marks the lowest a total has been since the second game of the year against Northern Kentucky (140). 

On the other hand, it’s the highest a UCLA total has been since game four of the season against Marquette (141). Considering the Bruins started the year with six straight Unders, it’s easy to see why an adjustment was made. 

I wouldn’t trust this UCLA team to score in an empty gym and therefore I lean toward the Under despite Washington’s run-and-gun tendencies. 

Washington vs UCLA betting trend to know

UCLA is 1-7 ATS at home this season. Find more college basketball betting trends for Washington vs. UCLA.

Washington vs UCLA game info

Washington vs UCLA key injuries

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