Nebraska Cornhuskers vs Ucla Bruins Picks and Predictions January 4th 2025

No. 15 UCLA Brings Stingy Defense Into Road Test vs. Nebraska

Fresh off a hard-fought victory over Gonzaga, No. 15 UCLA heads into the heart of Big Ten play with a challenging matchup against Nebraska on Saturday in Lincoln, Neb.

UCLA’s Defensive Identity

The Bruins (11-2, 2-0 Big Ten) showcased their hallmark defense in a 65-62 victory over Gonzaga last Saturday, avenging recent NCAA Tournament losses to the Bulldogs. Under head coach Mick Cronin, UCLA has established itself as a defensive juggernaut, allowing just 58.7 points per game—seventh-best in the nation.

Cronin emphasized the importance of sustained improvement:

“You have to be mature enough to realize, even if you win, you got to get better,” Cronin said. “We have 18 Big Ten games left. Our next game is at Nebraska and it’s been two years since they lost at home. So it’s not going to stop.”

Leading the defensive effort are transfers Kobe Johnson (from Southern California) and Skyy Clark (from Louisville). Offensively, Tyler Bilodeau (14.5 points per game) and Eric Dailey Jr. (11.4 points per game) provide consistent scoring.

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Nebraska’s Home Dominance

Nebraska (11-2, 1-1 Big Ten) has been a powerhouse at home, boasting a 7-0 record this season and a remarkable 25-1 mark at Pinnacle Bank Arena over the past two years. The Cornhuskers are coming off a commanding 77-43 win over Southern, where they shot 49.1 percent and held their opponent to just 25.4 percent shooting.

Despite their impressive record, Nebraska point guard Rollie Worster stressed the need for refinement:

“We were a little careless with the ball and gave up a lot of offensive rebounds,” Worster said. “It’s about staying with our principles and everyone being on the same page.”

Key Players to Watch

Nebraska features a balanced attack, led by Brice Williams with 19.0 points per game and Connor Essegian adding 12.4. Worster, who is six points away from reaching 1,000 career points, anchors the backcourt. Former UCLA forward Berke Buyuktuncel has also made his mark for Nebraska, contributing 7.9 points and a team-high 6.6 rebounds per game.

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For UCLA, Bilodeau and Dailey will need to lead the offense against a Nebraska defense that allows just 65.1 points per game, tied for 42nd in the nation.

Historical Context and Stakes

This is a pivotal matchup for both programs. Nebraska has matched its best start since the 1991-92 season (12-1) and has a chance to tie its school record with a 20th consecutive home victory. Meanwhile, UCLA is aiming to extend its strong start to Big Ten play and solidify its standing in the national rankings.

With Nebraska’s recent home wins over top teams like No. 1 Purdue and No. 6 Wisconsin, and UCLA’s proven ability to grind out wins in tough environments, Saturday’s game promises to be a high-stakes battle between two defensive-minded teams.