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
- 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.
- 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).
- 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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