UCLA vs Utah State prediction, picks for 2025 men's NCAA Tournament
It's UCLA vs Utah State in the 2025 NCAA Tournament first round. See our expert picks and predictions for the March Madness bracket, along with betting odds and game time.
Editor's note: Follow Men's March Madness live scores and updates for Thursday's first-round games.
The 2025 NCAA Tournament is here, folks.
Thursday's action in the Midwest Region features a matchup between UCLA and Utah State.
The UCLA Bruins finished the 2024-25 season with a 22-10 record, good for fourth in the Big Ten. That earned them a 7-seed in the 2025 March Madness bracket. Their opponent, the Utah State Aggies, finished third in the Mountain West with a 26-7 record. That earned them a No. 10 seed in the Big Dance.
UCLA ranks as the 27th-best team in the KenPom rankings, sporting the 35th-best offense and 17th-best defense. Meanwhile, Utah State ranks 52nd overall, possessing the 17th-ranked offense and 149th-ranked defense.
Here's how our experts see Thursday's Round of 64 clash playing out. Be sure to check out Paste BN's complete March Madness bracket predictions to see our team's picks for every game. While you're at it, don't forget to read our tournament bold predictions and upset picks.
Without further ado, here are our UCLA vs. Utah State picks and predictions.
UCLA vs. Utah State picks and predictions
- Jordan Mendoza: UCLA
- Paul Myerberg: UCLA
- Erick Smith: UCLA
- Eddie Timanus: Utah State
- Dan Wolken: Utah State
- Craig Meyer: Utah State 72, UCLA 66
- Jeremy Cluff: Utah State 66, UCLA 63
Our experts are siding with Utah State to pull off the upset against UCLA. Craig Meyer and AZ Central's Jeremy Cluff are taking the Aggies to cover the 5.5-point spread and the game to go under the 144.5-point total.
UCLA vs. Utah State date, start time, how to watch
- Game Day: Thursday, March 20, 2025
- Game Time: 9:25 p.m. ET
- Location: Rupp Arena in Lexington, Kentucky
- TV Channel: TNT
- Live Stream: Sling TV - Watch Now!
Watch UCLA vs. Utah State on Sling TV
UCLA vs. Utah State odds
Odds as of Wednesday, March 19 via BetMGM.
- Spread: UCLA -5.5 (-110)
- Moneyline Favorite: UCLA -235
- Moneyline Underdog: Utah State +195
- Total: 144.5
March Madness game-by-game predictions for Thursday
- Creighton vs Louisville prediction, picks
- High Point vs Purdue prediction, picks
- Montana vs Wisconsin prediction, picks
- SIU Edwardsville vs Houston prediction, picks
- Alabama St. vs Auburn prediction, picks
- McNeese vs. Clemson prediction, picks
- VCU vs BYU prediction, picks
- Georgia vs Gonzaga prediction, picks
- Wofford vs Tennessee prediction, picks
- Arkansas vs Kansas prediction, picks
- Yale vs Texas A&M prediction, picks
- Drake vs Missouri prediction, picks
- Utah St. vs UCLA prediction, picks
- Nebraska Omaha vs St. John's prediction, picks
- UCSD vs Michigan prediction, picks
- N.C. Wilmington vs Texas Tech prediction, pick
We occasionally recommend interesting products and services. If you make a purchase by clicking one of the links, we may earn an affiliate fee. Paste BN Network newsrooms operate independently, and this doesn’t influence our coverage.