NCAA Basketball: UCLA at Maryland
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The No. 11 UCLA Bruins will bring an eight-game winning streak into their college basketball matchup against the Washington State Cougars on Friday night. UCLA has not played since Dec. 21 when it notched an 81-54 win over UC Davis. Washington State has lost four of its last five games, including an 82-73 setback against Utah State on Christmas Day. 

Tip-off is set for 11 p.m. ET. The Bruins are favored by 8.5 points in the latest Washington State vs. UCLA odds from Caesars Sportsbook, while the over/under is set at 133.5. Before entering any UCLA vs. Washington State picks, you'll want to see the college basketball predictions from the model at SportsLine.

The SportsLine Projection Model simulates every Division I college basketball game 10,000 times. The model enters Week 8 of the season 21-15 on all top-rated college basketball picks. Anybody who has followed it has seen profitable returns. 

Now, the model has set its sights on Washington State vs. UCLA. You can head to SportsLine to see its picks. Here are several college basketball odds for UCLA vs. Washington State:

  • Washington State vs. UCLA spread: UCLA -8.5
  • Washington State vs. UCLA over/under: 134 points
  • Washington State vs. UCLA money line: Washington State +320, UCLA -420
  • Washington State vs. UCLA picks: See picks here

Why Washington State can cover

Washington State will not have to knock off any rust in this game, as it played three games in Hawaii during the Diamond Head Classic last week. The Cougars also played a tough road game at then-No. 11 Baylor two weeks ago, easily covering the 10.5-point spread in a 65-59 final. UCLA could have trouble getting off to a fast start in this game, as it has not played since Dec. 21. 

The Cougars have a balanced lineup that is led by junior guard TJ Bamba, who is averaging 16.8 points and 4.4 rebounds per game. Mouhamed Gueye (13.5), Jabe Mullins (11.3) and Justin Powell (10.5) are each scoring in double figures as well. Washington State has been severely undervalued in its recent home games against UCLA, covering the spread in seven of the last eight meetings in Pullman. 

Why UCLA can cover

UCLA has grown accustomed to winning games with margin, as it has won each of its last four games by double digits. The Bruins are also riding an eight-game winning streak overall following their 81-54 blowout win over UC Davis. They picked up a 10-point win against Kentucky and a 27-point win against Maryland during their recent hot stretch. 

Washington State has lost four of its last five games and is ranked No. 292 nationally in KenPom's turnover rate statistic. The Cougars are facing a UCLA defense that is No. 11 in forcing turnovers, so this is not a good matchup for them. UCLA's offense features four double-digit scorers, paced by veteran Jaime Jaquez Jr., who is averaging 17 points per game. 

How to make Washington State vs. UCLA picks

The model has simulated UCLA vs. Washington State 10,000 times and the results are in. The model is leaning Over, and it's also generated a point-spread pick that is hitting in well over 50% of simulations. You can only see the pick at SportsLine.

So who wins Washington State vs. UCLA? And which side of the spread hits well over 50% of the time? Visit SportsLine now to see which side of the spread to jump on, all from the advanced model that is 21-15 on its top-rated college basketball picks this season, and find out.