UCLA Bruins vs Ohio State Buckeyes Picks, Prediction, Odds, and Line Movement for Saturday January 17 2026
Use Code WWWC The UCLA Bruins, who currently hold a 12-5 overall record and have won four out of their six Big Ten games, are hitting the road to face the Ohio State Buckeyes in Columbus, Ohio. Ohio State isn't far behind, sporting an 11-5 record overall and standing at 3-3 within conference play. Get involved in the action with our free college basketball picks.
UCLA vs. Ohio State Game Information
- January 17, 2026
- 1:00pm EST
- Value City Arena
- CBS
Ohio State Form & Recent Results
Ohio State heads into their upcoming game hoping to bounce back after a tough loss in their last matchup, but overall, the Buckeyes have been solid lately, coming out on top in three of their last five games. In their recent 81-74 defeat against Washington on Sunday, Bruce Thornton stood out for Ohio State, pouring in 28 points. Devin Royal chipped in with a strong effort on the boards, collecting 8 rebounds, while John Mobley Jr. contributed by handing out 4 assists. Despite the loss, there were some positives for the Buckeyes. They managed to shoot an impressive 87% from the free-throw line, pulled down 39 rebounds, and even held the lead for nearly half the game. So far this season, Bruce Thornton has been the driving force behind Ohio State’s offense, putting up an average of 20.5 points per game, making him the team’s top scorer. Devin Royal isn’t far behind, averaging 13.9 points, and he’s also the Buckeyes’ leading rebounder with 6 boards per game. Thornton also leads the team in distributing the ball, averaging 3.9 assists. Over their last five games, Ohio State has been putting up a solid 76.8 points a night. Playing at home has been a particular strength for the Buckeyes this season. They boast a 7-2 record on their own court and are averaging an impressive 88.1 points per home game. As they prepare to host UCLA on Saturday afternoon, Ohio State will be looking to build on their home-court advantage and avoid picking up their fourth conference loss of the season.
UCLA Form & Recent Results
UCLA heads into this game riding the momentum of a two-game winning streak, having picked up victories in three of their last five matchups. Most recently, the Bruins secured a solid 71-60 win over Penn State on Wednesday. In that game, Trent Perry stole the show with an impressive 30-point performance. Tyler Bilodeau also made a big impact, pulling down 9 rebounds, while Donovan Dent set the tone for the offense with 5 assists. The Bruins played efficiently against Penn State, shooting 43% from the field and knocking down 38% of their three-point attempts. They were perfect from the free-throw line, converting all of their shots, and finished the game with a total of 32 rebounds. UCLA maintained control for most of the night, holding the lead for 72% of the game. Through this season, Tyler Bilodeau has proven himself as the team’s top scorer, putting up an average of 17.7 points per game. Right behind him is Skyy Clark, who is also making valuable contributions with an average of 13.5 points a night. When it comes to rebounding, Eric Dailey Jr. stands out as the Bruins’ best, pulling down 5.6 boards per game. Donovan Dent continues to distribute the ball effectively, leading the team with 6.4 assists per game. Over their last five games, UCLA is averaging 73.6 points, showing that their offense is clicking at the right time. The Bruins have split their four road games so far this season, going 2-2 and averaging 71.5 points when playing away from home. As they head into their matchup in Columbus, UCLA will aim to notch their fifth Big Ten conference victory by taking down the Buckeyes on their home court.
Key Stats
- UCLA Bruins this season: 48% field goal percentage, 32.5 rebounds, 15.8 assists, 3.3 blocks, 7.1 steals per game
- Ohio State Buckeyes this season: 50% field goal percentage, 36.6 rebounds, 16.2 assists, 2.5 blocks, 5.1 steals per game
Betting Odds & Market Overview:
- OSU -4.5; O/U 148.5
UCLA vs. Ohio State Picks and Prediction
UCLA and Ohio State have both enjoyed success in Big Ten matchups so far this season. As the Buckeyes return to their home court, they’re counting on their high-powered offense, especially when energized by their home crowd, to give them the edge and keep their winning streak alive. Meanwhile, UCLA comes into this game with plenty of momentum, looking to notch their third consecutive victory in the conference, eager to prove they can keep up their strong play on the road. Final Score Prediction, Ohio State Buckeyes win but fail to cover the spread, 74-71.
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