Rutgers Scarlet Knights vs Ucla Bruins Picks and Predictions January 13th 2025

No. 22 UCLA Looks to End Slide Against Rutgers Amid Challenges

No. 22 UCLA and Rutgers both aim to reverse their fortunes as the Bruins visit the Scarlet Knights on Monday in a pivotal Big Ten Conference clash at Piscataway, N.J. Both teams are enduring tough stretches and seeking to reestablish momentum.

Rutgers: Searching for Offensive Stability

Rutgers (8-8, 1-4 Big Ten) concludes a three-game homestand on Monday, hoping to recover from consecutive losses to Wisconsin and Purdue. The Scarlet Knights are on a three-game losing streak, with scoring struggles largely tied to freshman standout Dylan Harper’s health issues.

Harper, the team’s leading scorer at 20.1 points per game, missed the Jan. 2 loss at Indiana due to illness. He returned to action against Wisconsin and Purdue but was a non-factor, scoring just six total points across the two games while shooting a combined 2 of 18 from the field.

The Scarlet Knights have recorded their two lowest-scoring games of the season during this stretch, managing just 63 points against Wisconsin and 50 against Purdue.

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Head coach Steve Pikiell emphasized the importance of execution late in games:
“We don’t make the big plays. We’ve got to figure that part, most definitely.”

UCLA: Defensive Concerns Amid Adversity

UCLA (11-5, 2-3) started the season as one of the nation’s premier defensive teams, holding opponents to 62.6 points per game, which still ranks 17th nationally. However, the Bruins have faltered in their last three games, suffering losses to Nebraska, Michigan, and Maryland.

The defeats to Michigan (94-75) and Maryland (79-61) were UCLA’s worst defensive showings of the season, a far cry from their December performance in a 65-62 win over Gonzaga. Head coach Mick Cronin acknowledged the need for improvement:
“We are in a tough stretch of games and we’ve got to dig in.”

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Adding to UCLA’s challenges are the wildfires affecting the Los Angeles area, including the Palisades Fire near the university. Cronin revealed the personal toll:
“My house is getting real close to being evacuated. It’s an unbelievably horrible situation. That is my only concern right now.”

Key Players and Matchups

• Tyler Bilodeau has been a consistent bright spot for UCLA, averaging 14.9 points per game and scoring 18 against Maryland. However, the Bruins rank near the bottom of the Big Ten in scoring at 75.0 points per game, needing support from the rest of the roster.
• For Rutgers, Harper’s recovery will be crucial. Without his usual production, Rutgers must find other offensive sparks to complement its solid defense.

What’s at Stake

Both teams are desperate for a win to avoid falling further in the Big Ten standings. Rutgers hopes to end its skid on its home court, while UCLA looks to stabilize its defense and regain the form that vaulted it into the national rankings.

The matchup pits UCLA’s defense against Rutgers’ struggling offense, with both teams needing to overcome adversity to secure a much-needed win.