Big Ten NCAAB Prediction and Odds: Another Hurdle Awaits UCLA
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It was another perfect week for both Michigan and Michigan State as the Wolverines and the Spartans are the only teams with perfect Big Ten records this season. There are six teams with either one or two Big Ten losses so buckle up for what could be a memorable Big Ten title chase.

Things get underway with UCLA listed by the college basketball lines as the road favorite against Rutgers on Monday while Maryland is a double-digit favorite against visiting Minnesota in the only Big Ten games set for Monday.
Let’s check out my best college basketball picks this week for the Big Ten.
Top 3 NCAAB Predictions for the Big Ten This Week
1. UCLA vs Rutgers Over is the Best Bet on Monday
While a Big Ten team could win the College Football Playoff title for the second year in a row (Ohio State is favored against Notre Dame), let’s not forget how things are shaking out on the basketball court.
When looking at the college basketball futures odds, Michigan is the team with the shortest odds of winning the Big Ten title. The Wolverines are +175 to win the conference after six teams had shorter odds of winning the Big Ten at the start of the season.
Michigan State (+285), Illinois (+375) and Purdue (+600) aren’t far behind.
Things are starting to unravel a bit at UCLA. Combustible head coach Mick Cronin called out his team for being soft after losing at home by 19 points to Michigan. The message wasn’t received with UCLA falling on the road to unranked Maryland. Cronin said he intentionally got thrown out of the game because he didn’t want to watch it any longer. OK, just who is looking soft right now?
Mick Cronin went OFF on his players following their loss to Michigan 😳
“We’re soft… Every day, I have more passion and energy in practice than anybody else. I’m tired of it. It’s a joke… The truth of it is, it’s really hard to coach guys who are delusional” pic.twitter.com/abGQdPkfQN
— The Field of 68 (@TheFieldOf68) January 8, 2025
In one of the two Big Ten games on Monday, UCLA looks to snap a three-game losing streak at Rutgers. Cronin made a few trips to Rutgers as the coach at Cincinnati. If you’re looking to bet online, the over is a solid bet.
Bet This Pick: UCLA vs Rutgers Over 139 (-110)
2. Game of the Week: Illinois at Michigan State
While there are some games early in the week that could impact the Big Ten title odds, the one between Illinois and Michigan State on Sunday catches our eye.
The Spartans are one of five Big Ten teams still undefeated at home while Illinois has won two of its three true road games. Illinois comes into the week tied with Michigan with the most wins (3) against ranked teams.
The home team has won five of the last six games between the Fighting Illini and the Spartans. However, when looking at the Illinois vs Michigan State stats, the fact that four of the last seven games between the teams have been decided by five points or less is something to consider.
B1G Win #5 ✅ pic.twitter.com/zCaP5lcFqE
— Michigan State Men’s Basketball (@MSU_Basketball) January 12, 2025
Senior guard Jaden Akins has scored in double figures in seven consecutive games and he is coming off a game with five steals for Michigan State. Keep an eye on the college basketball injury updates as freshman Kasparas Jakucionis, the top scorer for Illinois, has missed the last two games.
3. Maryland Guard Ja’Kobi Gillespie a Top Player Prop Option
Maryland junior guard Ja’Kobi Gillespie has rebounded rather nicely after missing all six of his field-goal attempts and managing just one point in 18 minutes in a loss at Washington.
In the last two games, Gillespie is 7-of-15 from 3-point range en route to averaging 21.5 points per game.
When looking at the Big Ten player prop options, take a look at the -104 odds for Gillespie to score 14+ points.
Odds and information are accurate at the time of writing. Please check with official sources for the latest updates before placing any bets
Questions Of The Day
Which Big Ten teams have the best records against the spread this season?
Michigan and Michigan State are both 11-5 against the college basketball spread followed by Wisconsin at 10-6.
Who is the top scorer in the Big Ten this season?
Rutgers freshman Dylan Harper is averaging 20.1 points per game.