The Michigan State Spartans take on the UCLA Bruins in Los Angeles, California. Tip-off is set for 10 p.m. ET on Peacock.
UCLA is favored by 2 points on the spread with a moneyline of -135. The total is set at 139 points.
Here are my Michigan State vs. UCLA predictions and college basketball picks for February 4, 2025.
Michigan State vs UCLA Prediction
My Pick: UCLA -2.5 (Play to -3.5)
My Michigan State 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 State vs UCLA Odds, Spread, Pick
| Michigan State Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
+2 -110 | 139 -110 / -110 | +115 |
| UCLA Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
-2 -110 | 139 -110 / -110 | -135 |
- Michigan State vs UCLA spread: UCLA -2
- Michigan State vs UCLA over/under: 139 points
- Michigan State vs UCLA moneyline: UCLA -135, Michigan State +115
- Michigan State vs UCLA best bet: UCLA -2.5 (Play to -3.5)
My Michigan State vs UCLA College Basketball Betting Preview
Michigan State didn't get its typical fanfare this offseason, as it started the new season unranked and off the national radar despite the addition of freshman Xavier Booker.
But this has suddenly turned into one of Tom Izzo's best teams in years. We know the coach is one of the country's elite, but even for him, this is impressive — Sparty ranks top-10 nationally and had won 13 straight games before this Saturday's road loss to USC.
Booker, the coveted five-star freshman, is actually the eighth-leading scorer on Michigan State's roster. He's struggled for the most part this season, but it also speaks to the depth this team possesses.
The Spartans have two things working against them, though: a lack of team athleticism and a lack of team length.
This was particularly evident in one of their three losses this season — against Memphis in the Maui Invitational. Memphis' ball pressure and length caused major issues for the Spartans and their guard play. Athleticism and speed were huge advantages on the other end of the floor.
That brings us to this game. UCLA's backcourt has been questionable and inconsistent this season, but the Bruins have the length, athleticism and defensive tenacity to cause problems for the Spartans.
That's especially true as Michigan State readies for the second game of its West Coast road trip.
Plus, Mick Cronin has UCLA cooking. The Bruins have won five straight, and Dylan Andrews — a key for this Bruins team in the backcourt — is playing with a newfound sense of life, scoring in double figures in four of his last five.
Finally, 7-foot-3 Aday Mara has brought a different dimension to the Bruins, providing them with a rim protector and another offensive weapon. That could cause more concerns for Sparty.
