UConn vs. USC Predictions, Odds

• December 3, 2020
• By David Schwab
• VegasInsider.com

As part of the Mohegan Sun Arena's Roman Legend Classic schedule for Thursday night, the Big East’s Connecticut Huskies will face the Pac-12’s USC Trojans. Tip-off on ESPN is set for 7 p.m. (ET).

BETTING RESOURCES

• Expert Picks: Vegas Insiders
• Venue: Mohegan Sun Arena
• Location: Uncasville, Connecticut
• Date: Thursday, December 3, 2020
• Time: 7:00 p.m.
• TV: ESPN
• Bet: BetMGM | BetRivers | FanDuel | PointsBet | All

UConn-USC Betting Odds

Line Movements

• Spread: UConn -1.5
• Money-Line: UConn -120 USC +100
• Total: 142.5

Odds Subject to Change

The Huskies have been opened as xx-point favorites for Thursday night with the betting line for the game’s total set at xx points. Connecticut is out of the gate at 2-0 straight-up with a 1-1 mark against the spread. The Huskies closed as heavy 20-plus point favorites in each game.

The total was split 1-1.Going back to last season, UConn is 4-2 ATS in its last six games with the total going OVER in seven of its last eight games. This will be the Huskies first meeting against USC but they have lost five of their last seven games SU against the Pac-12.

The Trojans have three SU victories under their bets with a 2-1 record ATS. The biggest win was against BYU on Tuesday as +3.5-point underdogs. The total stayed UNDER in the last two contests. USC is 9-3 ATS in its last 12 games. The total has stayed UNDER in five of its last six outings, but it has gone OVER in six of the last seven games against the Big East.

Betting Analysis – UConn Huskies

Straight Up - SU, Against the Spread - ATS, Over-Under (O/U)

• SU: 2-0
• ATS: 1-1
• SU - Home: 2-0
• SU - Away: 0-0
• O/U: 1-1

Betting Analysis – USC Trojans

Straight Up - SU, Against the Spread - ATS, Over-Under (O/U)

• SU: 3-0
• ATS: 2-1
• SU - Home: 2-0
• SU - Away: 1-0
• O/U: 2-1

Inside the Stats – UConn Huskies

• PS/G: 85.5 (48th)
• PA/G: 66 (96th)
• Off Rtg: 121.3 (25th)
• Def Rtg: 93.6 (112th)

Thursday’s game is considered a neutral-site matchup. However, UConn is considered to be the host team in the Mohegan Sun Arena. Tuesday’s scheduled game against Vanderbilt at the Connecticut casino area was cancelled. Prior to that, guard James Bouknight scored 18 points and forward Isaiah Whaley pulled down 10 rebounds in a 69-57 victory against Hartford. The Huskies failed to cover the 23.5-point spread.

Back in the Big East after seven seasons in the AAC, head coach Dan Hurley has high expectations for his team. Through two games, the scoring depth has been solid with four players in double figures. UConn has shot 50.4% from the field and 33.3% from three-point range.

Inside the Stats – USC Trojans

• PS/G: 83.3 (64th)
• PA/G: 67.3 (115th)
• Off Rtg: 113.6 (59th)
• Def Rtg: 91.8 (96th)

USC looked sharp in Tuesday’s 79-53 upset against BYU in Bubbleville as part of the Roman Legends Classic. That could provide an edge in Thursday’s matchup.

Through three games, Evan and Isaiah Mobley have led the way. Evan is the leading scorer with 16.3 points per game and his brother Isaiah is pulling down 11.3 rebounds a game. Guard Drew Peterson looked impressive shooting the ball in Tuesday’s win with a game-high 19 points. He connected on seven of his 10 shots from the field.

This is a great start for a USC team that finished last season strong with five SU wins in its last seven games. The Trojans covered in seven of their final nine games down the stretch.

Key Players to Watch

• UCONN - James Bouknight (19 PPG, 6 RPG)
• UCONN - R.J. Cole (13.5 PPG, 3.5 APG)
• USC - Evan Mobley (16.3 PPG, 9 RPG)
• USC - Isaiah Mobley (10.3 PPG, 11.3 RPG)

UConn-USC Predictions

This should be a good test for each of these teams. Connecticut gets the edge from the oddsmakers but this could be a good opportunity to bet the underdog on the money line.

The win against BYU gives the Trojans some excellent momentum for Thursday night while UConn may have cooled a bit with its first Bubbleville game canceled. The best play in this matchup could be the OVER on the total line. Each team has some hot hands shooting the ball which should result in a higher scoring game than the oddsmakers expected.

• Score Prediction: USC 81 UConn 78
• Best Bets: USC
• Best Bets: OVER