UCLA vs. USC Pick
Can No. 8 UCLA bounce back from its loss this weekend when it goes on the road to face USC at 11PM ET?
According to oddsmakers at BetDSI, UCLA is favored on the road, as the Bruins are getting odds of -7 points against USC. The over/under total for the contest is listed at 170.5 points. USC has won three straight meetings with UCLA, covering the spread in all three games.
UCLA suffered just its second loss of the season this weekend when it lost 96-85 at home to Arizona. The Bruins are now 19-2 overall and 6-2 in the Pac-12. UCLA is just 2-7 against the spread in its last nine games to drop to 12-9 against the spread for the season. UCLA has one of the top offenses in the nation, averaging 93 points per game. However, the defense also allows 76.5 per contest overall and 83 points per game on the road. Bryce Alford is averaging 17.2 points per game to lead the Bruins while TJ Leaf is adding 16.7 points and 8.7 rebounds per game.
USC is coming off an 82-79 win over Arizona State at home last week to move to 17-4 overall and 4-4 in the Pac-12. The Trojans are just 9-10-1 against the spread on the season and only 2-8 ATS in their last 10. The Trojans are more of a defensive team than many of its Pac-12 counterparts. USC gives up just 71.2 points per game on the season and 68.8 per game at home. On offense, USC average 78.1 per game overall and 80.5 at home. Jordan McLaughlin and Elijah Stewart are each putting up 14.1 points per game to lead USC. McLaughlin is adding 5.1 assists per game as well.
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There is something about USC that makes me want to pick them tonight. The Trojans play pretty well at home and just had a 7-point loss to the Arizona team that beat UCLA. Granted, the Wildcats had a different lineup, but I still think USC steps up its game. Following the loss to Oregon, UCLA would fail to cover in its next three and the Bruins are just 1-3 ATS on the road in conference play. I’m taking my chances with the home team tonight.
COLLEGE BASKETBALL DAILY PREDICTION: USC +7