UCLA at USC odds, picks and prediction

Previewing UCLA Bruins at. USC Trojans odds and lines, with college basketball betting picks, tips and predictions.

The UCLA Bruins (13-3 overall, 9-1 Pac-12) make the crosstown trip to face the USC Trojans (14-3, 8-2) in a Saturday night (10 p.m. ET) contest at the Galen Center in Los Angeles. Below, we analyze the UCLA-USC college basketball odds and lines, with picks and predictions.

UCLA is No. 21 in the Ferris Mowers Coaches Poll powered by USA TODAY Sports.

UCLA at USC: Odds, spread and lines

Odds via BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated at 12:05 p.m. ET.

  • Money line: UCLA +145 (bet $100 to win $145) | USC -175 (bet $175 to win $100)
  • Against the spread/ATS: UCLA +3.5 (-110) | USC -3.5 (-110)
  • Over/Under: 135.5 (O: -110 | U: -110)

UCLA at USC: Three things to know

  1. UCLA was off to its best conference start since 1982-83 (8-0) before a last-second loss to Stanford Jan. 23. The Bruins bounced back with a 57-52 win over Oregon State Jan. 30; UCLA had a Monday game against Oregon postponed as a result of COVID-19 protocols.
  2. USC notched its third straight victory Tuesday, beating Stanford on the road, 72-66. F Evan Mobley (23 points), G Drew Peterson (15) and G Tahj Eaddy (14) paced the Trojans in scoring. The members of that trio are all averaging double figures on the season; Mobley is averaging team-highs in points (16.8 per game) and rebounding (9.0 per game).
  3. The Trojans are solid — and perhaps a bit overlooked — on defense. Southern Cal has allowed just 64.7 points per game, which ranks second in the Pac-12. USC has held foes to a 38.2% field-goal mark. In its last five home games, USC has held opponents under a 40% mark four times.

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UCLA at USC: Odds, lines, predictions and picks

Prediction

UCLA 68, USC 66

Money line (ML)

The Bruins should have fresh legs in defense of first-place in the circuit standings. UCLA has a knack for playing solid defense without logging a ton of fouls, and keeping USC off the line is a big key in this one. So is UCLA’s 3-point shooting. Look for a Bruin bounce in that department: UCLA went just 6-of-24 against Oregon State after having shot 41.5% from distance over its previous eight games.

BACK THE BRUINS +145. The ML play is the strongest wagering option for this matchup.

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Against the spread (ATS)

In a low-scoring environment, the UCLA (+3.5, -110) tag has value but not as much of a margin as the ML play. PASS.

Over/Under (O/U)

These two teams display a lot of statistical consistency at both ends of the floor. This well-made total reflects that. PASS.

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Additional college sports coverage from USA TODAY Sports Media Group:

Alabama / Auburn / Florida / Georgia / LSU / Michigan / Michigan State / Notre Dame / Ohio State / Oklahoma / Tennessee / Texas / USC / Wisconsin

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