The Oregon Ducks (10-6) visit No. 7 USC Trojans (14-1) Saturday at the Galen Center for an 11 p.m. ET tip-off. Below, we look at Oregon vs. USC odds and lines, and make our expert college basketball picks, predictions and bets.
The Trojans recently suffered their only loss of the season against the Stanford Cardinals. They lost by 6 on the road, pushing their road record to 4-1.
They’re still undefeated at home, a perfect 7-0. They have an average margin of victory in conference play of 8. The Trojans are led by Isaiah Mobley but have four players averaging double figures.
As for Oregon, they’re 3-2 in conference play, losing to Stanford as well and also dropping a game to Arizona State. Oregon has also lost to Baylor by 8. However, in their most recent outing, they defeated the mighty Bruins by 3.
The Ducks are led by senior G Will Richardson, who averages 13.6 points per game.
Rankings courtesy of the Ferris Mowers Coaches Poll powered by USA TODAY Sports.
Oregon at USC odds, spread and lines
Odds provided by Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Odds for a full list. Lines last updated at 3:15 p.m. ET.
- Money line: Oregon +225 (bet $100 to win $225) | USC -290 (bet $290 to win $100)
- Against the spread (ATS): Oregon +6.5 (-110) | USC -6.5 (-110)
- Over/Under (O/U): 141.5 (O: -110 | U: -110)
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Oregon at USC odds, lines, picks and predictions
Prediction
USC 75, Oregon 69
Money line
PASS on the money line. Playing Oregon at +6.5 has value, and that spread is large enough to prefer that over the +225 money line.
Against the spread
“LEAN” to OREGON +6.5 (-110).
Oregon has enough offensive power to keep this game close. Richardson is averaging over 43% from three-point range and drilling two per game. The Ducks have two players that average over a three per game and shoot over 40%.
They’ll have to be on fire as opponents’ three-point shooting is USC’s only “weakness.” The Trojans rank 1st in the Pac-12 opponents’ field goal percentage and allow the fewest two-point attempts per game.
With that in mind, the Ducks have been terrific against top-tier opponents, taking a lead into half on the then-undefeated Baylor Bears and beating UCLA. I’ll take them and their snipers to at least keep this game close.
Over/Under
BET on the OVER 141.5 (-110).
The Trojans are averaging around 76 points per game this season. That number has even gone up in their five conference games, and their defense, against quality opponents, has declined. They’re allowing around 69 points per game.
The Ducks have the Pac-12’s third-best offense, topping 75 points per game. Both teams rank in the conference’s top four in shots per game, so I expect this game to be played with pace, and subsequently, the Over to hit.
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