Tag: USC UCLA odds picks prediction spread over/under betting line

The second-seeded UCLA Bruins (24-6) clash with the third-seeded USC Trojans (26-6) in the third round of the Pac-12 Tournament Friday. Tip-off from T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas is scheduled for 11:30 p.m. ET. Below, we look at the USC vs. UCLA odds and lines, and make our expert college basketball picks, predictions and bets.

UCLA is coming off a 75-65 win over seventh-seeded Washington State in the second round, covering as an 8.5-point favorite.

The Bruins against the spread (ATS) record is 16-13-1 on the year, and they split their two meetings with the Trojans. USC, however, is 2-0 ATS in those matchups.

The third-seeded USC won at home 67-64, covering as a 4.5-point underdog, and lost 75-68 on the road, covering as a 7.5-point underdog in those two meetings. While they’ve played UCLA well despite being just 15-17 ATS on the season.

The Trojans failed to cover as 6.5-point favorites in their 65-61 win over sixth-seeded Washington. That has pushed their neutral-court record to 4-0 straight up.

USC finished the season No.21 while UCLA was No. 13 in the Ferris Mowers Coaches Poll powered by USA TODAY Sports.

USC vs. UCLA odds, spread and lines

Odds provided by Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 3:24 p.m. ET.

• Money line: USC +210 (bet $100 to win $210) | UCLA -270 (bet $270 to win $100)
• Against the spread (ATS): USC +6.5 (-120) | UCLA -6.5 (-105)
• Over/Under (O/U): 133.5 (O: -115 | U: -107)

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USC vs. UCLA odds, lines, picks and predictions

Prediction

UCLA 71, USC 66

Money line

PASS.

I don’t think USC finds a way to beat UCLA for a second time, especially with UCLA’s many weapons clicking at the right time. However, UCLA (-270) in a second- versus third-seed match is also unplayable.

Against the spread

LEAN USC +6.5 (-120).

UCLA is playing quality basketball, and it should be able to make a run in March. However, USC has covered both times these two sides have met this season and have the defensive aptitude to keep it close.

F Isaiah Mobley leads the team offensively, averaging 14.4 points per game, but defensive play is the identity of the Trojans. They rank 14th in opponents’ field goal percentage, holding teams to 38.9% shooting.

USC has also been far better ATS against ranked opponents, holding a Pac-12-best 3-1 ATS record compared to UCLA’s 2-4 ATS record against ranked opponents.

A 6.5-point spread seems a bit too much for a team that’s covered well and dominated defensively.

Over/Under

BET on the OVER 133.5 (-115).

While USC is elite defensively, which certainly helps drag this total down, UCLA has scored 75 or more in four straight games and put up 75 on USC to close the regular season.

They shot 30% from the field and still managed 67 points in the first meeting, failing to hit the over with it at 136 in that battle. Even if UCLA shoots below its 44.9% average, it should be able to eclipse 68.

USC is 11-9-1 O/U in conference games. On the other side, UCLA has hit 4 straight overs.

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The No. 16 USC Trojans (25-5, 14-5 Pac-12) and No. 18 UCLA Bruins (22-6, 14-5) tangle in a Saturday night top-20 tilt in Los Angeles. The intra-city meeting at Pauley Pavilion is scheduled to get underway at 10 p.m. ET. Below, we look at the USC vs. UCLA odds and lines, and make our expert college basketball picks, predictions and bets.

USC has had a couple shaky defensive games of late. One of those games — Tuesday versus Arizona — resulted in a loss. The Wildcats are the only team to defeat the Trojans since Jan. 27; they’ve done so twice in that span.

Southern Cal plays tremendous defense. Since Jan. 20, the Trojans are 11-3; they’ve held foes to a 40.3% mark from the floor over that stretch.

The Bruins lost to USC Feb. 12. After going 10-1 in December-January, UCLA dropped four games in February. Three of those were against foes outside the top-25.

The slow-tempo Bruins excel in avoiding turnovers and extending possessions with offensive rebounds. They’ve averaged 10.5 offensive boards per game in going 5-1 since Feb. 17.

Rankings courtesy of the Ferris Mowers Coaches Poll powered by USA TODAY Sports.

USC at UCLA odds, spread and lines

Odds provided by Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 1:30 p.m. ET.

• Money line: USC +290 (bet $100 to win $290) | UCLA -380 (bet $380 to win $100)
• Against the spread (ATS): USC +7.5 (-107) | UCLA -7.5 (-115)
• Over/Under (O/U): 135.5 (O: -107 | U: -115)

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USC at UCLA odds, lines, picks and predictions

Prediction

UCLA 72, USC 66

Money line

The Bruins’ leading scorer, G Johnny Juzang, is averaging 17.6 points per contest. Juzang was listed midweek as questionable with an ankle injury. With tournament play looming, there may not be much incentive for playing the 6-foot-6 talent that has given UCLA 35 minutes-plus on a lot of nights.

UCLA likely wins at home and in a revenge spot, but there is a bit of value attached to the USC (+290) play.

Against the spread

The Trojans are 7-1 ATS in their last eight road games against teams filing better than a .600 winning percentage on home hardwood. The underdog has prevailed against the number is four of the last five USC-UCLA games.

Peg SOUTHERN CAL +7.5 (-107) with a slight lean.

Over/Under

PASS: too many cross signals to try and parse here.

Bet legally online with a trusted partner: Tipico Sportsbook, Sportsbook Wire’s official sportsbook partner in CO, NJ and soon IA. Bet now!

If you’re looking for more sports betting picks and tips, access all of our content at SportsbookWire.com and BetFTW. Please gamble responsibly.

Follow SportsbookWire on Twitter and like us on Facebook.

College sports coverage from USA TODAY Sports Media Group:

Alabama / Arkansas / Auburn / Colorado / Florida / Georgia / LSU / Michigan / Michigan State / North Carolina / Notre Dame / Ohio State / Oklahoma / Oregon / Penn State / Rutgers / Tennessee / Texas / USC / Wisconsin / College Football News

Gannett may earn revenue from Tipico for audience referrals to betting services. Tipico has no influence over nor are any such revenues in any way dependent on or linked to the newsrooms or news coverage. See Tipico.com for Terms and Conditions. 21+ only. Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER (NJ), 1-800-522-4700 (CO), 1-800-BETS-OFF (IA).

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