UCLA vs. USC Predictions, Odds

VegasInsider Staff Sports Betting Expert

6 minute read

• February 6, 2021
• By Thom Cunningham
• VegasInsider.com

A huge rivalry game in the Pac-12 sees the UCLA Bruins take on the USC Trojans. Tip for this historic rival is set for 10 p.m. (ET) and will air on ESPN.

BETTING RESOURCES

• Expert Picks: Vegas Insiders
• Conference: Pac-12
• Venue: Galen Center
• Location: Los Angeles, California
• Date: Saturday, February 6, 2021
• Time: 10:00 p.m.
• TV: ESPN
• Bet: BetMGM | FanDuel | FOXBet |DraftKings | Best Sportsbooks

WHERE TO BET UCLA-USC

• Colorado
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UCLA-USC Betting Odds

• Spread: USC -3
• Money-Line: TBD
• Total: 134.5

Odds Subject to Change

The Trojans open as home favorites, given a -3-point spread. USC has covered 10 of 17 games played this season, while UCLA is 9-7 on the ATS.

The point total is set at 134.5, which both schools tend to go OVER on. UCLA has gone OVER the point total in 10 of 16 games, while USC is 10-7 on the O/U.

Betting Analysis – UCLA Bruins

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

• SU: 13-3
• ATS: 9-7
• SU - Home: 9-0
• SU - Away: 4-3
• O/U: 10-6

It’s quite an amazing job Mick Cronin has done since taking the offer to become the Bruins head coach. UCLA is a quiet 13-3 on the season, and enter Saturday’s game with an offensive efficiency rating of 110.5. That ranks 45th in the country.

Even with the loss of star senior guard Chris Smith, UCLA has been able to get by. The team ranks 50th in three-point percentage, they rank 61st in free-throw percentage, and average 14.6 assists per game.

That high assist mark is mainly due to star guard Tyger Campbell, who averages just over six assists per game. Campbell, who is a passer first, has had to take on a much more scoring role in Smith’s absence.

This has seen Campbell’s points per game total climb all the way up to 11.5, just behind Jaime Jaquez. Cody Riley, Jules Bernard, Jalen Hill and Johnny Juzang have all stepped up as well.

Mick Cronin does a good job of utilizing all of the talent on his teams, as this Bruins squad is no different. There is a lot of talent and a lot of depth to this team, and it’s scary to think that they haven’t even truly hit their full stride yet.

Betting Analysis – USC Trojans

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

• SU: 14-3
• ATS: 10-7
• SU - Home: 9-2
• SU - Away: 5-1
• O/U: 10-7

Evan Mobley is the name to watch whenever the USC Trojans take the court. The third-highest ranked freshman entering college basketball this season has yet to disappoint.

Mobley averages 16.8 points per game to go along with nine rebounds. He and senior Tahj Eaddy have done a marvelous job leading the Trojans to the 52nd-most efficient offense in the country.

This is mainly attributed to easy shot selections, making 21.1 two-pointers per game which ranks 38th in the country. The strength for this team lies with its length, as the Trojans are a wonderful rebounding and blocked shot team.

USC ranks sixth nationally in blocks per game, along with seeing 40.9 rebounds per game (ranks 13th). The team is most effective when playing through Mobley, while Eaddy has done a great job of making timely shots in crucial moments of games (senior leader).

He makes and attempts the most three-pointers for this Trojan team, but when Drew Peterson is also hitting his long range shots this is a difficult offense to contain. Even if the shots aren’t dropping, the Trojans average 12.6 offensive rebounds per game which ranks 29th in the country.

Inside the Stats – UCLA Bruins

• PS/G: 75.1 (98th)
• PA/G: 67.1 (92nd)
• Off Rtg: 110.5 (46th)
• Def Rtg: 98.7 (166th)

Inside the Stats – USC Trojans

• PS/G: 76.3 (77th)
• PA/G: 64.6 (50th)
• Off Rtg: 109.8 (53rd)
• Def Rtg: 93 (46th)

Key Players to Watch

• UCLA - Jaime Jaquez (12.6 PPG, 5.9 RPG)
• UCLA - Tyger Campbell (11.5 PPG, 6.1 APG)
• USC - Evan Mobley (16.8 PPG, 9 RPG)
• USC - Tahj Eddy (12.6 PPG)

UCLA-USC Predictions

The spread is a bit of a toss up, as this could come down to one shot or even enter overtime. UCLA has seen four overtime periods in three games this season, so its not a terrible idea to try the long shot odds for this game to enter overtime.

The point total has lots of conviction to back, leaning OVER. Combining the schools O/U sees 20-13 favoring the OVER. With the point total given, only one team needs to touch 70 points while the opponent only needs to be a few points outside the given -3-point spread. Assuming one school can touch 70 and the other keeps it within seven to five points, the point total should go OVER.

• Score Prediction: USC 69 UCLA 66
• Best Bets: OVER

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