UCLA Bruins vs Purdue Boilermakers Prediction, Picks and Game Preview - 02/28/2025

Game Time: 8:00 pm ET, Friday, February 28, 2025

Venue:  Mackey Arena, West Lafayette, IN

Where to Watch:  FOX

DraftKings:  Point Spread:  UCLA +5.5, Purdue -5.5; Over/Under:  140.5 points

Bet365:  Point Spread:  UCLA +5.5, Purdue -5.5; Over/Under:  140.5 points

BetMGM:  Point Spread:  UCLA +5.5, Purdue -5.5; Over/Under:  140.5 points

UCLA Bruins:  20-8 (11-6) (5th place, Big Ten)

Purdue Boilermakers:  19-9 (11-6) (6th place, Big Ten)

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UCLA Bruins:  3-2  last 5

Purdue Boilermakers:  1-4  last 5

UCLA is entering this game with a 20-8 record overall, an 11-6 record in conference games, and they are 4-4 in their road games this season where they will be in this game. They are coming off a win against the Ohio State Buckeyes in their last game. Eric Dailey Jr. led the team in points per game in that game with 20 while Skyy Clark was next on the team with 13. Kobe Johnson and Dylan Andrews each led the team in assists with 4 in that game while Kobe Johnson led the team in rebounds with 13. They were 40.4% from the field, 40% from 3-point range, and 75% from the free throw line with their shooting in that game. Their offense is averaging 74.8 PPG and their defense is allowing their opponents to average 64.6 PPG against them. UCLA has an ATS record of 16-11-1 this season and their O/U record is 11-17.

Purdue is entering this game with a 19-9 record overall, an 11-6 conference record, and they are 12-2 in their home games this season where they will be in this game. They are coming off a loss against the Indiana Hoosiers in their last game. Fletcher Loyer led the team in points in that game with 20 while Myles Colvin was next on the team with 11. Braden Smith led the team in assists with 5 in that game while C.J. Cox led the team in rebounds with 6. They were 41.7% from the field, 41.2% from 3-point range, and 73.3% from the free throw line with their shooting in that game. Their offense is averaging 77.5 PPG and their defense is allowing their opponents to average 70.1 PPG against them. Purdue has an ATS record of 15-13 this season and their O/U record is 16-12.

The current betting odds have Purdue listed as a 5.5 point favorite in this game according to Draftkings Sportsbook. Purdue has looked good in their games this season with their 19-9 record overall and their 11-6 conference record which has them in the top half of the Big Ten. They have also looked great on their home court this year with their 12-2 home record. Meanwhile, UCLA has looked good in their games this season with their 20-8 record overall and their 11-6 conference record which has them in the top half of the Big Ten. They haven't been a great road team though with their 4-4 road record. They are coming off a win over Ohio State in their last one and they haven't looked bad lately as they are 3-2 in their last 5 games, but they haven't had a tough schedule lately either. Purdue has looked terrible lately as they are 1-4 in their last 5 games with 4 losses in a row now and they are coming off a bad road loss to their rival Indiana in their last one, but they have also had a tougher schedule. They lost 3 games in a row against ranked opponents and are now coming off a loss to their rival, but they are going to be looking to bounce back after that bad loss and they are going to bring their best effort at home since they desperately need a win. UCLA also has the same conference record as Purdue and is right above them in the Big Ten standings so this is a good opportunity for Purdue to flex their muscles at home and get a win they need badly. Purdue is going to throw everything they have at UCLA to break this losing streak. The best way to place a bet here is on Purdue to cover the spread in this game. 

UCLA Purdue Prediction:  Our NCAAB Pick for Friday, February 28, 2025 (8:00 pm ET start time) is Purdue 77 UCLA 70.

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UCLA Bruins: 16-4 ATS off a home win against a conference rival. 16-8 ATS after playing 2 consecutive home games. 25-15 ATS when playing against a good team (Win Pct. 60% to 80%). 8-4 UNDER after a game where they allowed a shooting pct. of 33% or less. 

Purdue Boilermakers: 17-24 ATS when the total is 140 to 149.5. 18-25 ATS when playing only their 2nd game in 8 days. 11-6 1H UNDER after 1 or more consecutive losses. 27-16 1H UNDER when playing only their 2nd game in 8 days.

UCLA Bruins:  D. Harris (G) Questionable - Undisclosed. E. Freeny (G) Out - Redshirt. D. Williams (F) Out - Redshirt. E. Manjikian (F) Questionable - Arm. B. Williams (G) Out - Redshirt.

Purdue Boilermakers:  D. Jacobsen (C) Out - Knee.

"He's [Johnson] been doing that all year, three steals, four assists, 13 rebounds, he's been doing it all year. Sometimes the ball doesn't go in. His ball didn't go in today, but for the most part, it doesn't affect him because he's a senior.” - Mick Cronin on Kobe Johnson this season. 

“We put ourselves in great position just to let it squander away. To say we lost our composure is an understatement.” - Matt Painter after his team’s loss against Indiana in their last game. 

D. Andrews 

T. Bilodeau 

S. Clark 

E. Dailey 

K. Johnson

C. Cox 

C. Furst 

T. Kaufman-Renn 

F. Loyer 

B. Smith

PPG: T. Bilodeau (13.9)

APG: D. Andrews (3.2)

Reb/G: K. Johnson (6)

PPG: T. Kaufman-Renn (19.2)

APG: B. Smith (8.7)

Reb/G: T. Kaufman-Renn (6.1)

Coaches:

UCLA Bruins: Mick Cronin (6th season)

Purdue Boilermakers: Matt Painter (20th season)