- Matchup: Northwestern Wildcats vs UCLA Bruins
- Date: Saturday, January 24, 2026
- Venue: Pauley Pavilion, Los Angeles, CA
- Broadcast: ESPN+
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This Saturday, the UCLA Bruins (13-6) will host the Northwestern Wildcats (9-10) at Pauley Pavilion.
In their most recent game, the Northwestern Wildcats secured a victory against USC, winning 74-68. Throughout the match, Northwestern committed 25 fouls while USC tallied 19. The Wildcats struggled with their three-point shooting, making only 2 of 13 attempts. USC’s free throw performance was at 60.5%, successfully converting 26 of 43 attempts. The Bruins secured a total of 38 rebounds (11 offensive, 27 defensive) but did not record any blocks. They tallied 13 assists and 3 steals during the contest. Northwestern’s defense held USC to a 38.5% shooting rate from the field, allowing 20 out of 52 attempts. The Wildcats contributed 22 assists, forced 6 turnovers, and achieved 3 steals. On the boards, Northwestern secured 29 rebounds, including 7 offensive. At the charity stripe, they converted 15 out of 18 free throw attempts, maintaining an impressive 83.3% success rate. The Wildcats finished the game shooting 45.2% from the field (28 of 62) and achieved 3 of 15 from beyond the arc.
Nick Martinelli was a standout performer for the Wildcats, scoring 22 points on 8 of 20 shooting. He played for 35 minutes, grabbed 5 rebounds, and distributed 5 assists, finishing with a field goal percentage of 40.0%.
This season, the Wildcats hold a 9-10 record, averaging 77.2 points per game, placing them 173rd nationally. They are shooting 46.9% from the field and 31.0% from three-point range (116 of 374) while converting 74.1% of their free throws. As a team, Northwestern is securing 33.2 rebounds per game and has made 343 assists, ranking 34th in Division 1 for assists. They commit an average of 18.3 personal fouls and turn the ball over 8.4 times per game.
When defending, the Wildcats force an average of 11.0 turnovers per game and draw 18.1 personal fouls. Opponents shoot 30.0% from beyond the arc against them, and Northwestern ranks 127th in D-1 for points allowed per game (71.7). Their defensive shooting percentage allowed is 42.3%, giving up 467 field goals out of 1,105 attempts, and they relinquish 35.2 rebounds each game, ranking 275th in Division 1 for assists allowed with 286 conceded so far.
The previous outing for the UCLA Bruins culminated in a close win against Purdue, finishing 69-67. The Bruins gathered 19 defensive rebounds and 4 offensive boards, totaling 23 rebounds in the game. They committed 10 turnovers while making 3 steals. Purdue was assessed 8 fouls, allowing the Bruins 3 free throw attempts, of which they converted 2 for a 66.7% success rate. From three-point distance, UCLA made 9 of their 20 attempts (45.0%). The Bruins ended the game shooting 29 of 51 from the field, achieving a 56.9% efficiency. Purdue managed to shoot 45.0% (27 out of 60) while hitting 7 of 27 from three-point range (25.9%) and converting 6 of 7 free throws (85.7%). UCLA permitted Purdue to gather 24 rebounds in total (9 offensive).
Donovan Dent played a pivotal role for the Bruins, totaling 23 points in 39 minutes of play and adding 13 assists. He shot 10 of 18 for the game, finishing with an impressive field goal percentage of 55.6% but did not record any rebounds.
Currently, the Bruins boast a 13-6 record. Offensively, UCLA is hitting 47.9% from the field, ranking 55th in D-1. They have accumulated 1,476 points this season, averaging 77.7 points per game while securing 31.8 rebounds per contest. Their assist count stands at 15.9 per game (91st nationally), and they turn the ball over 10.1 times per game, committing an average of 17.2 personal fouls while shooting 76.0% from the free throw line.
Defensively, the Bruins rank 73rd in D-1 for points allowed per game, giving up 69.4. They force 13.4 turnovers per contest and allow opponents to shoot 42.6% from the field (ranking 124th in D-1). UCLA’s defense permits a rate of 29.6% on three-point attempts (138 of 466) and allows 76.1% from the free throw line. They also give up an average of 13.8 assists and 32.4 rebounds per game, ranking 218th and 64th in those respective categories.
Which team will prevail in tonight’s NCAA matchup against the spread?
Prediction: Back Northwestern
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