Rutgers Scarlet Knights vs UCLA Bruins Prediction, Odds and Picks for Today, 03/12/26

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The Rutgers Scarlet Knights and the UCLA Bruins will meet on Thursday night in Chicago for the third round of the Big Ten Tournament. It will be UCLA’s first game here, while Rutgers earned a great upset win against Minnesota last night and will look to keep their momentum going. Rutgers will need to win the tournament to make the Big Dance, while UCLA is a projected #8 or #9 seed. UCLA is a double-digit favorite in this one, but my best bet of the game is the under.

The total is currently 141 points, and I’m leaning under in this one because both teams play at a slow pace and neither offense is explosive. UCLA ranks #100 nationally in points per game; Rutgers is #267. The Bruins have an efficient offense, but sit #329 in adjusted tempo, so they do not put up a ton of points on a nightly basis. Rutgers ranks #224 in adjusted tempo and does not have an efficient offense. Moreover, according to KenPom, Rutgers is just #323 in effective field goal percentage and #333 in two-point percentage. Take the under.

Rutgers vs UCLA prediction: Under 141 (-110) available at time of publishing. Playable at 140.