The No. 15 Michigan State Spartans look to break out of a funk when they host the UCLA Bruins in Big Ten play tonight.
The Spartans are an 8.5-point favorite for this contest, which tips off at 8:30 pm ET on Peacock.
Due to Sparty’s poor recent form, I’m playing the underdog with my UCLA vs. Michigan State predictions and college basketball picks for Tuesday, February 17.
UCLA vs Michigan State prediction
UCLA vs Michigan State best bet: UCLA +8.5 (-110)
Although the Michigan State Spartans have been the superior team this season, their recent performance doesn’t justify a line of 8.5.
Across their last 10 games, the Spartans rank outside the Top 30 on BartTorvik in both offensive efficiency (37th) and defensive efficiency (33rd).
That’s not far removed from the UCLA Bruins, who rank 41st in both metrics during that stretch. Sparty is playing its worst basketball of the season and is 1-4 against the spread across its last five contests, and the books have yet to adjust.
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UCLA vs Michigan State same-game parlay
The Bruins have been a profitable team to back early in games, covering the first half spread in 14 of their previous 20 contests. They started strong against Michigan, trailing by only two at the half before losing control, and Michigan State was dominated from start to finish by Wisconsin last time out.
The Bruins slow things down (333rd in tempo since January 8, per BartTorvik), so a cover by the underdog correlates well with the Under. Mick Cronin’s squad is 1-5 O/U in its last six road games, and Michigan State is 4-10 O/U in its last 14 home games.
UCLA vs Michigan State SGP
- UCLA +8.5
- UCLA +4.5 in first half
- Under 139.5
Our beyond the arc SGP: Downtown Drainage
Sparty allows 26.5 attempts from 3-point range per game, which will benefit Tyler Bilodeau and Donovan Dent from beyond the arc.
UCLA vs Michigan State SGP
- UCLA +8.5
- Under 139.5
- Tyler Bilodeau Over 1.5 made threes
- Donovan Dent Over 0.5 made threes
UCLA vs Michigan State odds
- Spread: UCLA +8.5 (-105) | Michigan State -8.5 (-115)
- Moneyline: UCLA +325 | Michigan State -425
- Over/Under: Over 139.5 (-110) | Under 139.5 (-110)
UCLA vs Michigan State betting trend to know
Michigan State is 1-4 ATS in its last five games. Find more college basketball betting trends for UCLA vs. Michigan State.
How to watch UCLA vs Michigan State
| Location | Breslin Center, East Lansing, MI |
| Date | Tuesday, February 17, 2026 |
| Tip-off | 8:30 p.m. ET |
| TV | Peacock |
UCLA vs Michigan State 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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