The Michigan Wolverines take on the UCLA Bruins in Los Angeles, CA. Tip-off is set for 10 p.m. ET on Peacock.
UCLA is favored by 3.5 points on the spread with a moneyline of -166. The total is set at 143 points.
Here’s my Michigan vs. UCLA predictions and college basketball picks for January 7, 2025.
Michigan vs UCLA Prediction
My Pick: UCLA -3.5
My Michigan vs UCLA best bet is on the Bruins spread, with the best odds currently available at DraftKings. For all of your college basketball bets, be sure to find the best lines by using our live NCAAB odds page.
Michigan vs UCLA Odds, Spread
| Michigan Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
+2.5 -108 | 142 -112o / -108u | +130 |
| UCLA Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
-2.5 -112 | 142 -112o / -108u | -155 |
- Michigan vs UCLA spread: UCLA -2.5
- Michigan vs UCLA over/under: 142 points
- Michigan vs UCLA moneyline: UCLA -155, Michigan +130
- Michigan vs UCLA best bet: UCLA -3.5
My Michigan vs UCLA College Basketball Betting Preview
Editor's Note: Roddy Gayle Jr. (undisclosed) is questionable for Michigan. Eric Dailey Jr. (face) and William Kyle (medical issue) are both available for UCLA.
I’ll start by saying this: I’ve been very impressed by Michigan this season. Despite having a first-year head coach in Dusty May, the Wolverines haven’t had a lot of growing pains. They’ve lost three games all season by a combined five points and have wins over Wisconsin and USC on the road and Iowa at home.
The Wolverines have elite size up front (two 7-footers in Danny Wolf and Vlad Goldin) and top-notch guard play featuring Tre Donaldson, Roddy Gayle Jr. and Nimbi Burnett.
I’m buying long-term stock in the Wolverines, but I’m backing the Bruins in this spot.
UCLA is coming off a disappointing road loss to Nebraska and it has a long trip to the East Coast coming later this week. Essentially, this is a critical spot for the Bruins to notch a victory to avoid falling behind in the Big Ten pecking order.
That will be difficult with the current injury issues that UCLA is dealing with. The biggest name of the bunch is Eric Dailey Jr. (face), who missed the Nebraska game. The Bruins desperately need him back for this matchup, as they already have to contend with the Wolverines’ major size advantage in the paint.
I’m also concerned about the Bruins’ guard play, as Dylan Andrews has taken a step back this season while Sebastian Mack and Kobe Johnson combined to shoot 6-of-20 — and 1-of-10 from 3 — against Nebraska.
Regardless of this, the Bruins have still beaten Oregon, Arizona and Gonzaga this season. They’re still fourth in KenPom’s adjusted defensive efficiency metric, meaning they will keep this game to a grind against a Michigan team that averages over 84 points per game.
I’m counting on Mick Cronin and the Bruins’ defense in this spot, and I’m also fading the Wolverines at the end of a two-game West Coast road trip. Michigan has been on the road since before the USC game, and earning a third emotional, massive Big Ten victory to start league play screams a mini-letdown spot.
I'd take this bet small, but I expect UCLA to win and cover. If you’re comfortable laying the moneyline, I would do so in this spot. Otherwise, be cautious.
