The USC Trojans (13-5, 5-2 Pac-12) and No. 11 Arizona Wildcats (15-3, 4-3) meet Thursday at McKale Center in Tucson. Tip-off is scheduled for 9 p.m. ET (Pac-12 Network). Below, we analyze Tipico Sportsbook’s lines around the USC vs. Arizona odds, and make our expert college basketball picks, predictions and bets.
Rankings courtesy of the USA TODAY Sports Coaches Poll.
The Trojans head to Tucson with a pair of home wins over Colorado (68-61, last Thursday) and Utah (71-56, Saturday). However, USC lost its most recent road showing at UCLA on Jan. 5, and it also fell at Washington State prior to that on New Year’s Day. The good news is that USC is 6-1 against the spread (ATS) across the past 7 games overall.
The Wildcats are looking to rebound back from an 87-68 loss at Oregon, and they head into this home matchup looking to snap an 0-4 ATS slide. Arizona has scored 70 or fewer points in 4 of the past 5 games, and the Under is 3-2 during the span.
Stream select live college basketball games and full replays: Get ESPN+
USC at Arizona odds
Provided by Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 7:20 a.m. ET.
- Moneyline (ML): Off the board (OTB)
- Against the spread (ATS): USC +7.5 (-105) | Arizona -7.5 (-115)
- Over/Under (O/U): 151.5 (O: -115 | U: -105)
Catch the excitement and bet with Tipico
Double Down, Ohio! Deposit $200, Get $250. Bet now!
In Colorado and New Jersey, claim your 100% Deposit Match up to $250 now. Bet now! 21+, see Tipico.com for Terms and Conditions.
USC at Arizona picks and predictions
Prediction
Arizona 76, USC 71
Moneyline
The moneyline was OTB at the time of publication.
However, Arizona will be too much risk for not enough reward when it does open, and even playing it in a multi-team parlay won’t be a great play, as there is just no value here.
PASS.
Against the spread
USC +7.5 (-105) is a decent play on the road, as the Trojans look for a 4th consecutive cover. On the flip side, Arizona has failed to cover in each of the previous 4 outings.
The Trojans are 6-1 ATS in the past 7 games overall, and 6-0 ATS in the previous 6 against teams with a winning overall mark.
Arizona is just 0-3-1 ATS in the past 4 games at McKale Center and 3-9 ATS in the past 12 games following a non-cover.
Over/Under
UNDER 151.5 (-105) is the lean, but go rather lightly.
The Under has registered in 5 of the past 6 games at home for Arizona, while going 5-1 in the past 6 games against teams with a winning percentage of .600 or better, too.
The Under is 4-1 in the past 5 for USC against teams with a winning percentage over .600 and has cashed at a 5-2 clip in the past 7 following a cover.
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 OH, 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 Kevin J. Erickson on Twitter. 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]