Ucla Bruins vs Oregon Ducks Picks and Predictions January 30th 2025

Eric Dailey Jr. and Surging UCLA Set Sights on No. 16 Oregon in Crucial Big Ten Clash

UCLA is hitting its stride at the perfect time. After enduring a rough stretch of losses, the Bruins have bounced back with an impressive four-game winning streak. Now, they aim for their fifth straight victory as they prepare to host No. 16 Oregon on Thursday night in a crucial Big Ten showdown in Los Angeles.

The Bruins (15-6, 6-4 Big Ten) have taken down formidable opponents, including then-No. 18 Wisconsin, Iowa, Washington, and most recently, rival Southern California. Meanwhile, Oregon (16-4, 5-4) is looking to recover from a recent slump that has seen the Ducks drop two of their last three games.

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UCLA’s Midseason Resurgence: “We Got Sick of Losing”

A few weeks ago, UCLA was struggling, having lost five of six games, including setbacks against Nebraska, Maryland, and Rutgers. The turning point? A collective shift in mentality.

“We got sick of losing, honestly,” said UCLA guard Eric Dailey Jr.. “We got sick of people talking about us, talking about the way we play, and the media and all that stuff. So we just came together as a team and said, ‘We gonna just hoop.'”

That renewed focus has fueled a winning streak that has seen key players step up, particularly in the Bruins’ most recent victory—a hard-fought 82-76 win over USC on Monday night.

Key Players Powering UCLA’s Surge

Aday Mara’s Emergence as a Game-Changer

The most significant factor in UCLA’s resurgence has been the breakout performance of 7-foot-3 freshman Aday Mara. Against USC, Mara dominated with 12 points, a career-high 11 rebounds, and five blocked shots.

“His confidence is going up, and he’s already got the talent and the size,” Dailey said. “When you get confidence that nobody can stop you, it’s scary.”

Over the last three games, Mara has averaged 15.3 points per game, providing UCLA with a much-needed interior presence.

Scoring Depth Without Tyler Bilodeau

The Bruins’ leading scorer, Tyler Bilodeau (13.9 PPG), remains questionable after suffering an ankle injury early in last Friday’s 65-60 win over Washington. His absence against USC meant others had to step up, and they did.

• Eric Dailey Jr. contributed 16 points
• Sebastian Mack added 14 points
• Dylan Andrews has provided clutch moments, including the game-winning three-pointer in the last UCLA-Oregon matchup

Bilodeau’s status for Thursday’s game remains uncertain, making continued strong performances from Dailey, Mack, and Mara even more essential.

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Oregon’s Recent Struggles and Key Challenges

The Ducks began the season 9-0, but their momentum has slowed. Most recently, Oregon fell 77-69 to Minnesota, a game where they faced an early 26-8 deficit before rallying back, only to fall short.

Head coach Dana Altman acknowledged his team’s struggles, particularly in rebounding and second-chance points.

“We got beat nine on the boards,” Altman said. “I said going into the game we had to beat them on the boards. We got beat nine—11-0 on second-chance points. We had some bad turnovers and some questionable shots, but all in all, we gave ourselves a chance.”

Oregon’s Inconsistent Scoring Threats

Oregon has multiple players averaging double figures, but inconsistency has been an issue:

• Nate Bittle (12.9 PPG) was held scoreless against Minnesota, taking only three shots in 24 minutes.
• Jackson Shelstad (12.7 PPG) and TJ Bamba (10.4 PPG) have been reliable but need to step up in big games.
• Rebounding struggles (being out-rebounded 35-26 by Minnesota) could be a problem against UCLA’s emerging frontcourt.

Head-to-Head History and What to Expect

UCLA and Oregon met earlier this season on Dec. 8, with the Bruins escaping Eugene with a 73-71 victory thanks to Dylan Andrews’ banked-in three-pointer with 0.4 seconds left.

• Eric Dailey Jr. led UCLA with 19 points
• Nate Bittle posted 22 points and 10 rebounds for Oregon
• The Bruins have now won five of the last seven meetings between these two teams.

With both teams looking to solidify their place in the Big Ten standings, this matchup carries significant implications.

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Key Factors to Watch in UCLA vs. Oregon

🔹 Will Aday Mara continue his dominant stretch? His size and newfound confidence could give UCLA an edge in the paint.

🔹 Can Oregon fix its rebounding issues? If the Ducks get beaten on the boards again, they could be in trouble.

🔹 Who will step up for UCLA if Bilodeau remains out? Dailey, Mack, and Mara will need to maintain their recent form.

🔹 Can Oregon’s offense get Bittle back on track? The Ducks need their leading scorer to bounce back from his scoreless outing against Minnesota.

With UCLA surging and Oregon looking for answers, Thursday’s showdown promises to be a thrilling Big Ten battle with postseason implications.

Final Prediction: UCLA 74, Oregon 69

If Mara continues his rise and the Bruins maintain their defensive intensity, they should be able to extend their winning streak and take down the 16th-ranked Ducks once again.