UCLA vs Illinois Picks & Odds: Bruins Favored In Las Vegas Showdown

The UCLA Bruins (3-0 SU, 3-0 ATS) are 6-3 ATS over their last nine games heading into this tough early-season test against the Illinois Fighting Illini (3-0, 2-1). The Bruins will try to pick up the win as a UCLA vs Illinois prediction favorite Friday night at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.

UCLA vs Illinois Sportsbook Odds 

The UCLA vs Illinois odds for this clash between undefeated ranked teams have UCLA set as a 3-point favorite. The total in Friday night’s game is set at 145.5 points. The UNDER is 6-2 in Illinois’ last eight games.

Get the best UCLA vs Illinois odds and lines available from our recommended sportsbooks for your favorite picks of the night.

UCLA’s Veteran Core Has Led The Way To A Solid Start

Jaylen Clark led the Bruins in points with 19 and rebounds with nine in the team’s 86-56 blowout win at home over the Norfolk State Spartans on Monday night. Clark is leading the Bruins in scoring through their first three games with 17.3 points per game and is one of four upperclassmen who returned this season after finishing last year among the team’s top seven scorers. Last year’s squad advanced to the Sweet 16 and finished with a 27-8 SU record.

UCLA’s defense has allowed only 58.3 points per game through the team’s first three games, though those all came against weak visiting teams that the Bruins were heavily favored against. This matchup against a top-25 offense will be a good early litmus test for the UCLA defense.

Terrence Shannon Jr. Looks Like A Breakout Star In Illinois

Terrence Shannon Jr. went 9-for-14 from the floor and racked up 30 points in just 23 minutes on Monday night in Illinois’ 103-65 win at home over the Monmouth Hawks. Shannon averaged 11 points per game in three seasons playing for the defensive-minded Texas Tech Red Raiders, but with more freedom on offense in Illinois, he is off to a great start, averaging 22.7 points through his first three games.

Sophomore Dain Dainja is also off to a hot start, averaging 17.3 points, and as a team the Illini rank 19th in the nation in scoring at 92 points per game. Illinois has gone 2-0 ATS over its last two games since going 0-6 ATS over its previous six. Like UCLA, Illinois will get a real test Friday after being favored by over 25 points in its first three games.

UCLA: Keys to Win

UCLA has a core that has played together for multiple seasons while Illinois’ top three scorers are a transfer player and two underclassmen. That experience and chemistry could help propel the Bruins to a win as a UCLA vs Illinois prediction in what should be a good and competitive game.

Illinois: Keys to Win

While the Illini have faced easy opponents out of the gate, they have still passed the eye test with an average margin of victory of 35.3 points. If Illinois can continue to play at this high level against the Bruins, the team has got a great shot at cashing in as a UCLA vs Illinois pick.

College Basketball Computer Pick: Illinois +3

Check out more of Odds Shark’s signature NBA and NCAAB computer picks, plus our favorite sportsbooks that serve basketball customers. 

Join A Top-Tier NCAAB Betting Site Now