The Long Beach State Beach (4-5) and USC Trojans (7-3) meet Wednesday in Los Angeles. The opening tip at the Galen Center will be at 11 p.m. ET (Pac-12 Network). Below, we analyze Tipico Sportsbook’s lines around the Long Beach State vs. USC odds, and make our expert college basketball picks, predictions and bets.
Long Beach State is 1-3 straight-up (SU) and 1-3 against the spread (ATS) in its last 4 games. The Beach dropped a 76-64 game as a -2 favorite Saturday at Sacramento State. Wednesday’s contest — though just 25 miles up the road — marks LBSU’s 6th in a row away from home.
The Trojans are also 1-3 ATS in their last 4 games, but they have gone 3-1 SU across that span. USC last played a week ago, defeating Cal State-Fullerton 64-50 (as a -14.5 favorite) Dec. 14. Southern Cal allowed a mere 32.8% mark from the field in that game. For the season, the Trojans own an elite mark in effective field-goal rate allowed (43.0%, 15th NCAA-I).
Check out: USA TODAY Sports Coaches Poll
Stream select live college basketball games and full replays: Get ESPN+
Long Beach State at USC odds
Provided by Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 11:23 a.m. ET.
- Moneyline: Long Beach State +500 (bet $100 to win $500) | USC -800 (bet $800 to win $100)
- Against the spread (ATS): Long Beach State +11.5 (-105) | USC -11.5 (-115)
- Over/Under (O/U): 144.5 (O: -110 | U: -110)
Claim your risk-free bet up to $350. Catch the excitement and start betting with Tipico Sportsbook! New customer offer in CO and NJ. 21+, see Tipico.com for Terms and Conditions. Bet now!
Long Beach State at USC picks and predictions
Prediction
USC 76, Long Beach State 65
Moneyline
PASS. Nothing to see here, move along.
Against the spread
Comparable games on the Beach’s schedule have seen subpar shooting performances such that not enough can be taken from those contests.
USC’s troubled games against foes like Florida Gulf Coast (Nov. 7), Vermont (Nov. 15) and Oregon State (Dec. 4) leave plenty of doubt as to what kind of margin should be expected in this game.
PASS.
Over/Under
Long Beach State likes to play fast, but opponents have found success in slowing them down. The Under has gone 4-2 in LBSU’s last 6 lined games.
Southern Cal’s pace numbers dropped considerably after back-to-back losses to Tennessee and Wisconsin Nov. 24-25. Its games have hit the Under in 4 straight. The Trojan’s interior defense is exceptional, and the Beach doesn’t launch it often — or with much success from 3-point range.
These 2 met last season (Dec. 12), and USC defeated LBSU 73-62. The 135 total easily cleared the Under 146 that day. And the UNDER 144.5 (-110) is the top play in Wednesday’s matchup.
Play our free daily Pick’em Challenge and win! Play now!
Want action on this basketball game or any other sports contest? Bet legally online with a trusted partner: Tipico Sportsbook, SportsbookWire’s official sportsbook partner in CO and NJ. Bet now!
If you’re looking for more sports betting picks and tips, access all of our content at SportsbookWire.com and BetFTW, or try out our USA TODAY Parlay Calculator. Please gamble responsibly.
Follow SportsbookWire on Twitter and like us on Facebook.
College sports coverage from USA TODAY Sports Media Group:
Alabama / Arkansas / Auburn / Clemson / Colorado / Florida / Georgia / Iowa / LSU / Michigan / Michigan State / Nebraska / North Carolina / Notre Dame / Ohio State / Oklahoma / Oregon / Penn State / Rutgers / Tennessee / Texas / Texas A&M / USC / Wisconsin / College Football News
[lawrence-newsletter]
[lawrence-auto-related count=3 category=1667]