Since the two Los Angeles schools, USC and UCLA, joined the Big Ten, just one conference opponent has swept them during the LA road trip.
The No. 10 Illinois Illini look to become the second Big Ten team to accomplish that feat as they visit the UCLA Bruins at Pauley Pavilion in a game broadcast on FOX at 8:00 pm ET.
The Illini are playing like one of the top teams in the nation, so I’m backing them as the road favorite with my Illinois vs. UCLA predictions & college basketball picks for Saturday, February 21.
Illinois vs UCLA prediction
Illinois vs UCLA best bet: Illinois -6.5 (-116)
Illinois not only has the highest adjusted offensive efficiency in the country — it has the highest one in the history of the KenPom era. They’re far more talented and well-assembled than UCLA.
The Illini (16-11 ATS) are a top-5 team overall and pose a serious threat to cut down the nets as the calendar nears March. That puts them in a different tier than UCLA (10-16 ATS), a program in an even darker place after coach Mick Cronin’s mid-week blowup.
The Illini are 7-1 straight up on the road, covering the spread in six of those contests.
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Illinois vs UCLA same-game parlay
UCLA ranks 65th in adjusted defensive efficiency (BartTorvik) over the last month and stands little chance of nullifying Illinois’ Death Star offense. The Bruins are 13-7 O/U against the first half total in their last 20 games.
On the flip side, elite point guards have given the Illini defense some issues. Nick Boyd (25 points, five assists), Jeremy Fears (26 points, 15 assists), and Braden Smith (27 points, 12 assists) all had success against them recently, and all three of those games went Over the total. Enter Donovan Dent and his tremendous 38.3% assist rate.
Illinois vs UCLA SGP
- Illinois -6.5
- Over 146
- Over 69 in the first half
Our beyond the arc SGP: Wagler leads Fighting Illini
Keaton Wagler leads a potent Illinois offense against an overmatched UCLA defense, while Donovan Dent and Tyler Bilodeau execute the pick and pop on the other end.
Illinois vs UCLA SGP
- Illinois -6.5
- Keaton Wagler Over 4.5 assists
- Donovan Dent Over 6.5 assists
- Tyler Bilodeau Over 1.5 three-pointers
Illinois vs UCLA odds
- Spread: Illinois -6.5 (-110) | UCLA +6.5 (-110)
- Moneyline: Illinois -290 | UCLA +235
- Over/Under: Over 146.5 (-110) | Under 146.5 (-110)
Illinois vs UCLA betting trend to know
UCLA is 4-9 ATS in its last 13 games against Big Ten opponents. Find more college basketball betting trends for Illinois vs. UCLA.
How to watch Illinois vs UCLA
| Location | Pauley Pavilion, Los Angeles, CA |
| Date | Saturday, February 21, 2026 |
| Tip-off | 8:00 p.m. ET |
| TV | FOX |
Illinois vs UCLA key injuries
Odds are correct at the time of publishing and are subject to change.
Not intended for use in MA.
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