The UCLA Bruins find themselves in the midst of a five-game winning streak ahead of a home matchup against the No. 9 Michigan State Spartans. The Spartans fell to the USC Trojans, ending a 13-game winning streak of their own on Saturday night.
Find out if the Spartans can shake off the loss in this Michigan State vs. UCLA prediction as it pertains to the spread, total, and money line bets.
Michigan State vs. UCLA Betting Preview
All Michigan State vs. UCLA odds are from DraftKings Sportsbook and are correct as of Tuesday, Feb. 4, 2025.
- Spread
UCLA -3.5 - CSN Spread
Michigan State -4.5 - Moneyline
UCLA -162, Michigan State +136 - Over/Under
139 points - Game Time
Tuesday, Feb. 4, 10 ET - Location
Pauley Pavilion | Los Angeles, Calif. - How To Watch
Peacock
The Spartans are 13-8 ATS on the season, with a majority coming as the favorite. In fact, they’ve only suited up three times as the underdog, covering twice. Of their 10 conference games, they’ve covered seven times.
Of their 21 outings, the under has only hit eight times, including just three of the last ten. A key component to watch: with a rest disadvantage, the under has been successful seven of nine times for the Spartans. They last played on Feb. 1; the Bruins, January 30.
UCLA is 12-10 ATS this season, including 4-7 in conference. As home favorite, however, they’ve covered eight of 12.
While 10 of 22 games have gone over, a relatively modest lean, seven of 11 have gone over in Big Ten play. Conversely, with four-plus days of rest, the Bruins have gone under in just two of seven matchups, something to keep an eye on.
Michigan State vs. UCLA CSN Power Rankings Line
Our metrics system has it far off from the listed line; according to CSN, Michigan State is favored by -4.5. DraftKings, after opening the line at -2.5 on the Bruins’ side, has pushed it even further to -3.5. That’s an 8-point difference — pointing towards the value laying with the Spartans.
Prediction for Michigan State vs. UCLA
Bruins’ head coach Mick Cronin laid into his squad during their four-game skid to begin the new year, publicly calling them a soft basketball team. To say that they responded would be an understatement.
A five-game win streak has ensued, vaulting UCLA into a tie for fourth place in the conference. Their last game was their best of all: a 78-52 drubbing of the previously 16th-ranked Oregon Ducks on the road.
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Michigan State had been peaking as of late, led by an extremely balanced attack. An uncharacteristically poor free throw shooting night contributed to the loss to the Trojans; but that’s not who they’ve proven to be this season.
I find it extremely hard to pick a winner here. The Spartans may be the better team in the long run, but if we’re looking solely at this matchup on Feb. 4, the Bruins are playing at a level not dissimilar to a top-five team as of late.
Our metrics point towards the value being in Michigan State’s favor; so we’ll take the Spartans +3.5, despite the hot-streaking Bruins. That still allows for a Bruins W, which I think may still happen.
I expect defense to be a heavy focus for both teams, and considering the Bruins have a track record of going under with extra rest time, take the under 139 points.
This will be a hard-fought contest between two excellent teams — a must-see matchup as part of college basketball’s night-cap on a loaded Tuesday night.
Prediction: UCLA 69, Michigan State 68
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