The Minnesota Golden Gophers take on the UCLA Bruins in Los Angeles, California. Tip-off is set for 10:30 p.m. ET on FS1.
UCLA is favored by 11.5 points on the spread with a moneyline of -850. The total is set at 130.5 points.
Here are my Minnesota vs. UCLA predictions and college basketball picks for February 18, 2025.
Minnesota vs UCLA Prediction
My Pick: Minnesota +11.5
My Minnesota vs. UCLA best bet is on the Gophers 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.
Minnesota vs UCLA Odds, Lines
Minnesota Odds | ||
---|---|---|
Spread | Total | Moneyline |
+11.5 -110 | 131.5 -105o / -115u | +550 |
UCLA Odds | ||
---|---|---|
Spread | Total | Moneyline |
-11.5 -110 | 131.5 -105o / -115u | -800 |
- Minnesota vs. UCLA spread: UCLA -11.5
- Minnesota vs. UCLA over/under: 131.5 points
- Minnesota vs. UCLA moneyline: UCLA -800, Minnesota +550
- Minnesota vs. UCLA pick: Minnesota +11.5
My Minnesota vs. UCLA NCAAB Preview
The Minnesota Golden Gophers may be just a game over .500, but they've shown they can hang with the upper echelon of the Big Ten if they can play their brand of basketball. The Golden Gophers are one of the slowest teams in terms of tempo, ranking 358th.
However, the UCLA Bruins aren't much faster, ranking 302nd in tempo, and this pace will allow Minnesota to execute offensively.
Being able to play in the half-court setting gives Minnesota's leading scorer, Dawson Garcia, a chance to thrive, as the Bruins have allowed their opposition to convert 65% of their attempts from the paint.
Aside from Garcia, Lu'Cye Patterson has shown that he can penetrate and be effective in the paint as well.
If the Golden Gophers are able to consistently work the ball inside, they'll have extended success in this matchup.
The Bruins will have their best chance of success on the perimeter. Minnesota ranks 275th in 3-point percentage allowed, and the Bruins possess multiple players who shoot above 37% from beyond the arc.
However, if they're forced to settle for more perimeter shots with a lot of variance, that variance will be influenced by the tempo, as the Golden Gophers should remain in position with UCLA rarely pushing the ball in transition.
UCLA has had success in the Big Ten by being very efficient inside the arc, but it's far from consistent, ranking just 94th in 2-point percentage.
So, while the Bruins may be sizable favorites, their avenues for offensive success are capped, as they're evenly matched with the Gophers.
Minnesota vs UCLA Betting Analysis
As I said above, UCLA has had plenty of success in the Big Ten this season by slowing teams down, being efficient in the paint and playing suffocating defense.
While Minnesota doesn't do any of those things as well as the Bruins, it plays a similar brand of basketball and has shown it can thrive in this game script.
Look for Minnesota to control the paint and keep this one tight. Take the Golden Gophers to cover the spread.