Wisconsin vs. UCLA Prediction, Odds & Score Picks: Big Ten Quarterfinal Best Bets

Fifth seed Wisconsin will look to knock off 4-seed UCLA today and advance in the Big Ten tournament. Tipoff from Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis is slated for 2:30 p.m. ET (Big Ten Network).

Our Wisconsin vs. UCLA prediction, odds, and expert picks examine which side has the leg up in this matchup after an 85-83 win for the Bruins earlier in the season.

Despite losing the first meeting, the Badgers are 1.5-point favorites in the rematch at our best sports betting sites. Will they get their long-awaited revenge on UCLA this afternoon?

💰 Wisconsin vs. UCLA predictions, expert picks & best bets: Big Ten quarterfinal

Here are my best Wisconsin vs. UCLA predictions, expert picks, and best bets today for the Big Ten quarterfinal with my pick confidence based on a 1-to-5-star scale. Be sure to check out the rest of our college basketball picks along with our guide on how to bet on college basketball.

• Against the spread pick: UCLA +1.5 (-108 via DraftKings) vs. Wisconsin ⭐⭐⭐
• My best player prop bet: John Blackwell Under 15.5 points (-110 via FanDuel) ⭐⭐⭐⭐
• Exact score prediction: UCLA 74, Wisconsin 69 (+16000 via DraftKings)

👉 Check out our latest March Madness projections with our SBR Bracketology ahead of the NCAA Tournament!

🏀 Wisconsin vs. UCLA ATS prediction & best player prop bet pick

Here's why I'm betting on UCLA to cover the spread (+1.5) while targeting John Blackwell Under 15.5 points as my best player prop bet pick for today:

✅ UCLA to cover the spread (+1.5) ⭐⭐⭐

I agree with oddsmakers that this will be a close game that either team can win, but I’m surprised to see the Badgers favored. The Bruins have won just four of their last seven games, but they’re 11-3 in their last 14 with three wins over ranked opponents, including Wisconsin.

While some may be concerned with UCLA's consistency entering its first Big Ten tournament game, the Badgers have had an up-and-down end to the season, as well. They’re 3-3 in their last six games, a stretch that includes an ugly home loss to Penn State. They’ve only beaten one team ranked in the top 25 right now, so there’s more upside for the Bruins.

Add in the fact that Wisconsin had to play yesterday, and picking UCLA becomes even more enticing. Why wouldn’t you take the team with fresh legs in an even matchup? Look for the Bruins’ 21st-ranked scoring defense to get the better of the Badgers tonight, as they secure the win and advance to the semifinals.

📊 Best odds: -108 via DraftKings (bet $10 to win $9.26)

🔥 John Blackwell Under 15.5 points ⭐⭐⭐⭐

When these two teams met in January, Blackwell scored 23 points. However, he was just 5-of-14 in that game, as he did most of his damage from the free-throw line, where he went 10-of-12. Blackwell hasn’t attempted more than eight free throws in any other game this season, and I don’t expect him to get to the line at the same rate as he did in the first matchup.

Can Blackwell still hit this Over? Of course. He’s the Badgers’ second-leading scorer, averaging 15.4 points per game. He’s scored at least 16 in four of his last five, and he likely would have scored that many had he played his usual minutes against Northwestern.

However, Blackwell’s Under is the right play today.

The Bruins’ defense has been incredible this season. They’ve held five of their last six opponents Under 70 points. Blackwell was just 3-of-10 from the floor against the Wildcats, and considering he barely shot over 30% against UCLA in the first meeting, I don’t expect him to improve enough against this solid defense to hit his season average.

📊 Best odds: -110 via FanDuel (bet $10 to win $9.09)

🎯 Expert Wisconsin vs. UCLA score prediction

🔮 Expert score prediction: UCLA 74, Wisconsin 69

The Badgers are averaging 80.4 points per game, but their performance against Northwestern has me worried. They managed just 70 points on 41.5% shooting from the field. Yes, they held a massive lead for the majority of the second half, but I’m very concerned that they will get beat up by the Bruins’ defense.

While the first meeting between these two teams went for 168 points, I expect the defenses to do a much better job in the tournament. I still project that this game will finish slightly above the listed total of 142.5, but I wouldn’t confidently back the Over in this game.

📊 Best odds: +16000 via DraftKings (bet $10 to win $1,600)

📊 Live Wisconsin vs. UCLA odds & latest betting splits

Here are the latest odds for Wisconsin vs. UCLA, which update live in real time. You can also check out our NEW college basketball player prop odds tool for the latest college basketball odds on any market across legal sportsbooks in your region.

🔢 Wisconsin vs. UCLA opening odds

Here's a look at the opening odds for Wisconsin vs. UCLA according to BetMGM.

• Spread: Wisconsin -1.5 (-102) | UCLA +1.5 (-118)
• Moneyline: Wisconsin -118 | UCLA -102
• Over/Under: Over 142.5 (-110) | Under 142.5 (-110)

🏆 Who will win Wisconsin vs. UCLA?

As of 8:45 a.m. ET, Wisconsin is favored by 1.5 points to beat UCLA  with moneyline odds of -125 at BetMGM, which suggests a 55.56% win probability for the Badgers. We're predicting a 74-69 win for Bruins as our final score projection.

So far, 55% of bettors have wagered against the spread on Wisconsin -1.5, while 52% of bettors expect the game to finish Under the projected total of 142.5 points.

📺 How to watch Wisconsin vs. UCLA today

📅 Date: Friday, March 14
🕗 Time: 2:30 p.m. ET
📍 Location: Gainbridge Fieldhouse (Indianapolis)
📺 TV: Big Ten Network
💻 Streaming: N/A

❓ Wisconsin vs. UCLA FAQs

Who's favored to win the Big Ten tournament?

The Michigan State Spartans (+350 at BetMGM) are favored to win the Big Ten tournament.

Who is favored to win Wisconsin vs. UCLA?

Wisconsin has moneyline odds of -125, suggesting the Badgers have a greater than 55% chance of winning this game.

What are the betting odds for Wisconsin vs. UCLA?

The latest spread is Wisconsin -1.5 (-110) | UCLA +1.5 (-110), with a total of 142.5 points (-110).

What will be the final score of Wisconsin vs. UCLA?

We're predicting a final score of UCLA 74, Wisconsin 69 entering today's matchup at Gainbridge Fieldhouse.

What time is Wisconsin vs. UCLA today?

Wisconsin vs. UCLA will tipoff at 2:30 p.m. ET today.

⛹️ Best college basketball betting sites

Looking to bet on college basketball tonight? Here are our best March Madness betting sites as determined by our expert team at Sportsbook Review, along with our best March Madness betting promos ahead of the NCAA Tournament.

• Caesars Promo Code: SBRBONUSDYW | Read our Caesars Review
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• DraftKings Promo Code | Read our DraftKings Review

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