NCAAB · Final

Iowa Hawkeyes Defeat UCLA Bruins 74-61

Saturday, January 3, 2026, 6:00 PM ET · Carver-Hawkeye Arena

Iowa Hawkeyes 74, UCLA Bruins 61, final. Our NCAAB picks are sealed as a hash before kickoff and settled in public, losses included.

Next free pick (not the main pick)

The next free pick, for your email

Team, bet, price and the hash it was sealed under, on this page the moment you send. Lose or win, it stays public.

Unlock today's pick in Telegram →

or by email

Public record of the main pick, losses included: 115 won, 44 lost. See every pick

One free pick a day by email until you unsubscribe, in one click. 21+.

Get the daily free pick · See plans

Quick answers

Who won UCLA Bruins vs Iowa Hawkeyes?

Iowa Hawkeyes beat UCLA Bruins 74-61 at Carver-Hawkeye Arena on January 3, 2026.

Who was favored in UCLA Bruins vs Iowa Hawkeyes?

Iowa Hawkeyes were the favorite at DraftKings, moneyline -265 (about 73% implied). The favorite won.

The Iowa Hawkeyes secured a decisive victory against the UCLA Bruins with a final score of 74-61 at Carver-Hawkeye Arena. This matchup was particularly noteworthy as it featured two teams with strong recent performances, but Iowa's home advantage proved significant. Iowa entered the game with a home record of 12-2 and had been on a three-game winning streak, showcasing their dominance at home with an impressive average of 79.7 points scored and only 59.2 points allowed over their last ten games. In contrast, UCLA, with an away record of 10-4, had also been performing well, winning their last three games, but their scoring average of 82.5 points per game came with a higher average of 69.7 points allowed.

In their last five games, Iowa had a record of 4-1, averaging 84.0 points scored and 56.4 points allowed, while UCLA also showed strength with a 4-1 record, averaging 88.2 points scored and 74.8 points allowed. The matchup highlighted Iowa's ability to control the game defensively while maintaining a potent offense. Historically, Iowa had faced UCLA once before in the 2025 season, suffering a loss with a score of 70-94, which added an extra layer of motivation for the Hawkeyes in this rematch.

The game began with both teams trading baskets, but Iowa quickly established a lead that they would maintain throughout. Key scoring plays included a 34-foot three-point jumper by Bennett Stirtz, which capped off a strong performance from the Hawkeyes. Stirtz was instrumental in the second half, contributing significantly to the team's scoring run. As the game progressed, Iowa's defense stifled UCLA's attempts to close the gap, allowing them to pull away in the final minutes.

In terms of injuries, the block did not specify any significant player absences for either team, indicating that both squads were at full strength, which is always a crucial factor in high-stakes matchups like this one. The market had Iowa favored by 6.5 points, according to DraftKings, with a total set at 140.5. The odds reflected the confidence in Iowa's home performance, as they were also listed with a moneyline of -265, while UCLA was at +215.

The conditions in Carver-Hawkeye Arena were ideal for basketball, with a supportive home crowd that likely energized the Hawkeyes. Viewers were treated to a display of offensive skill and defensive tenacity, particularly from Iowa, who executed their game plan effectively. The victory solidified Iowa's position as a formidable contender in the league, while UCLA will need to regroup and address their defensive lapses as they move forward in the season.

Odds

Book	Spread	Total	Moneyline
DraftKings	IOWA -6.5	140.5 o -105 / u -115	UCLA Bruins +215 · Iowa Hawkeyes -265

What these prices pay on $100 · What these numbers mean

Leaders

PointsBennett Stirtz27Iowa Hawkeyes
AssistsBennett Stirtz5Iowa Hawkeyes
ReboundsCam Manyawu6Iowa Hawkeyes
PointsDonovan Dent25UCLA Bruins
AssistsDonovan Dent5UCLA Bruins
ReboundsDonovan Dent4UCLA Bruins

Recent form

Iowa Hawkeyes

Last 10: 8-2Streak W379.7 scored · 59.2 allowed per game7-0 at home

W90-62vs UMass Lowell River HawksDec 29
W94-39vs Bucknell BisonDec 20
W91-51vs Western Michigan BroncosDec 14
L62-66at Iowa State CyclonesDec 12
W83-64vs Maryland TerrapinsDec 6
L52-71at Michigan State SpartansDec 3
W59-46at Grand Canyon LopesNov 27
W74-69vs Ole Miss RebelsNov 26
W93-54vs Chicago State CougarsNov 21
W99-70vs Southeast Missouri State RedhawksNov 19

UCLA Bruins

Last 10: 7-3Streak W382.5 scored · 69.7 allowed per game1-2 away

W97-65vs UC Riverside HighlandersDec 23
W108-87vs Cal Poly MustangsDec 20
W90-77vs Arizona State Sun DevilsDec 18
L72-82at Gonzaga BulldogsDec 14
W74-63vs Oregon DucksDec 6
W82-80at Washington HuskiesDec 4
L72-80at California Golden BearsNov 26
W86-46vs Presbyterian Blue HoseNov 22
W79-48vs Sacramento State HornetsNov 19
L65-69vs Arizona WildcatsNov 15

Standings

Team	Overall	Games behind	In conference
Michigan	37-3	-	19-1
Nebraska	28-7	4	15-5
Michigan State	27-8	4	15-5
Illinois	28-9	4	15-5
Wisconsin	24-11	5	14-6
Purdue	30-9	6	13-7
UCLA	24-12	6	13-7
Ohio State	21-13	7	12-8
Iowa	24-13	9	10-10
Indiana	18-14	10	9-11
Minnesota	15-18	11	8-12
USC	18-14	12	7-13
Washington	16-17	12	7-13
Rutgers	14-20	13	6-14
Northwestern	15-19	14	5-15
Oregon	12-20	14	5-15
Maryland	12-21	15	4-16
Penn State	12-20	16	3-17

Box score

Stat	UCLA Bruins	Iowa Hawkeyes
Field goals	25-56	22-47
Field goal %	45	47
Three-pointers	3-14	8-26
Three-point %	21	31
Free throws	8-12	22-26
Free throw %	67	85
Rebounds	27	32
Offensive rebounds	12	11
Defensive rebounds	15	21
Assists	13	11
Steals	11	7
Blocks	0	4
Turnovers	12	14
Team turnovers	0	1
Technical fouls	0	0
Technical fouls, total	0	0
Flagrant fouls	0	0
Points off turnovers	17	12
Fast-break points	11	5
Points in the paint	34	22
Fouls	23	17
Largest lead	2	24
Lead changes	2	2
Time in front	1	94

How the scoring went

2nd Half32-45Donovan Dent makes 17-foot step back jumpshot
2nd Half34-45Donovan Dent makes driving layup
2nd Half34-46Isaia Howard makes free throw 1 of 2
2nd Half34-47Isaia Howard makes free throw 2 of 2
2nd Half36-47Donovan Dent makes driving layup
2nd Half38-47Donovan Dent makes 18-foot jumper
2nd Half40-47Tyler Bilodeau makes 13-foot jumper (Donovan Dent assists)
2nd Half42-47Trent Perry makes driving layup
2nd Half42-48Bennett Stirtz makes free throw 1 of 2
2nd Half42-49Bennett Stirtz makes free throw 2 of 2
2nd Half42-51Bennett Stirtz makes 9-foot jumper
2nd Half43-51Tyler Bilodeau makes free throw 1 of 2
2nd Half44-51Tyler Bilodeau makes free throw 2 of 2
2nd Half44-52Tate Sage makes free throw 1 of 2
2nd Half44-53Tate Sage makes free throw 2 of 2
2nd Half45-53Trent Perry makes free throw 1 of 2
2nd Half46-53Trent Perry makes free throw 2 of 2
2nd Half46-54Alvaro Folgueiras makes free throw 1 of 2
2nd Half46-55Alvaro Folgueiras makes free throw 2 of 2
2nd Half48-55Donovan Dent makes driving layup
2nd Half48-57Tate Sage makes layup (Alvaro Folgueiras assists)
2nd Half51-57Jamar Brown makes 23-foot three point jumper (Tyler Bilodeau assists)
2nd Half52-57Tyler Bilodeau makes free throw 1 of 2
2nd Half53-57Tyler Bilodeau makes free throw 2 of 2
2nd Half53-59Bennett Stirtz makes 6-foot floating jump shot
2nd Half53-61Isaia Howard makes 8-foot floating jump shot
2nd Half55-61Donovan Dent makes 9-foot turnaround jump shot
2nd Half57-61Donovan Dent makes driving layup (Jamar Brown assists)
2nd Half57-62Tavion Banks makes free throw 1 of 2
2nd Half57-63Tavion Banks makes free throw 2 of 2
2nd Half57-64Bennett Stirtz makes free throw 1 of 2
2nd Half57-65Bennett Stirtz makes free throw 2 of 2
2nd Half59-65Donovan Dent makes 7-foot floating jump shot
2nd Half59-66Tavion Banks makes free throw 1 of 2
2nd Half59-67Tavion Banks makes free throw 2 of 2
2nd Half61-67Donovan Dent makes layup
2nd Half61-68Bennett Stirtz makes free throw 1 of 2
2nd Half61-69Bennett Stirtz makes free throw 2 of 2
2nd Half61-71Tavion Banks makes 3-foot dunk (Bennett Stirtz assists)
2nd Half61-74Bennett Stirtz makes 34-foot three point jumper