UCF Knights vs UCLA Bruins Picks and Predictions for Friday, March 20, 2026
Use Code WWWC The UCF Knights will be in Philadelphia, PA, on Friday night for a 7:25 PM matchup against the UCLA Bruins in the first round of the NCAA tournament, and we have you ready to roll with our UCF vs UCLA prediction. UCF finished the season with 21 wins and 11 losses this season. UCLA comes into the big dance with 23 wins and 11 losses this year. UCF has struggled as of late, losing 4 of its last 5, following a 22-point loss to Arizona in its most recent outing. UCLA has been solid over its last few outings, winners of four of the last five, following the seven-point loss to Purdue in the conference tournament. Read more about this Milwaukee vs Orlando prediction! Struggling with handicapping? Try our NCAAB Predictions!
UCF tries to get back rolling
The UCF Knights have averaged 81 points on 47% shooting for the floor this season, but UCF has averaged only 77.75 points per game over the last four losses. Defensively, UCF is allowing 78.5 points per game this season and has allowed 89 points per game over its last four losses. Offensively, UCF was terrible in its last outing, scoring just 59 points on 37% shooting and 14% from beyond the arc. Defensively, UCF was obliterated, giving up 81 points on 48% shooting. UCF lost the rebounding battle by 8 and turned the ball over 11 times in the loss. Themus Fulks led the way for the UCF offense in their last outing with 14 points on 11 shots.
Riley Kugel leads the UCF offense this season, averaging 14.4 points per game. Themus Fulks is second on the team with 14.1 points to go along with the team's leading 6.7 assists. Jordan Burks is third on the roster, averaging 13 points per game. Ja’Michael Stillwell averages 11.7 points and leads the team, pulling in eight rebounds per game.
Key Injury Report for UCF:
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- Tanner Jones (Questionable) – Undisclosed
UCLA tries to keep it rolling
Offensively, UCLA has held its own this season, averaging 77.7 points on 47% shooting from the floor. Defensively, UCLA is allowing 71 points per game this season, and the Bruins gave up an average of 65.75 points per game over their last four wins. The UCLA offense was outmatched in its last outing, scoring just 66 points on 44% shooting, 35% from beyond the arc. Defensively, UCLA was outmatched, giving up 73 points on 46% shooting. UCLA will lose 3 batting battles by double digits and turn the ball over six times in the game.
Tyler Bilodeau leads the UCLA offense this season everything 17.6 points per game. Donovan Dent is second on the team, averaging 13.5 points to go along with the team's leading 7.6 assists per game. Trent Perry averages 12.7 points, and Skyy Clark averages 11.7 points per game. Eric Daily, Jr., averages 11.3 points and leads the team, pulling in 5.8 rebounds per game.
Key Injury Report for UCLA:
- Tyler Bilodeau (Questionable) – Knee
- Evan Manjikian (Questionable) – Undisclosed
UCF vs UCLA Pick
- UCF vs UCLA Spread Pick
Both teams have fared well enough thus far this season, with each having more than 20 games. UCLA, however, comes into this matchup playing the better basketball, and that will carry them. UCLA has the depth and talent to go along with the better defense on Friday night. Take UCLA to do the job as they get the win and cover in Philadelphia to punch their ticket into the second round.
- UCF vs UCLA Over/Under Pick
Both teams will score the ball well, but the UCLA defense will set the tone in this matchup. Look for UCLA to overwhelm a struggling UCF team for 40 minutes on Friday. The Bruins are going to score their points to get the win, but they will stifle UCF from the opening minutes. Take UCLA Friday night to get the win and over in a game that goes under the total.
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