USC Trojans vs. Arizona Wildcats Predictions, Picks, Odds

Daniel Dobish Sports Betting Expert

5 minute read

The USC Trojans (19-3, 9-3 Pac-12) travel to meet the Arizona Wildcats (18-2, 8-1) in a titanic Pac-12 matchup at McKale Center in Tucson, Ariz. on Saturday. Tip-off is scheduled for 5:00 p.m. ET, and the game can be viewed on FOX.

SCORE PREDICTION

Arizona 75, USC 69

BEST BETS

USC +11.5 (-110) at Circa

Under 149.5 (-110) at Circa

USC TROJANS VS. ARIZONA WILDCATS PREDICTIONS

The Trojans scratched out a 58-53 win at Arizona State on Thursday night just missing the cover while laying six points. It was an ugly showing, as the Trojans won despite shooting just 30% (18-of-61) from the field, including 25% (6-of-24) from behind the 3-point line. USC even struggled at the free-throw line, hitting just 61% (17-of-28), while turning it over 13 times. It cannot afford a repeat performance of Arizona will blow USC's doors off.

The Wildcats exacted a little revenge on UCLA on Thursday, bouncing the Bruins 76-66 on Thursday at 6.5-point favorites, getting back at UCLA for a 75-59 loss at Pauley Pavilion on Jan. 25 in the first meeting. Arizona has won seven of its past eight games, while going 3-2 ATS across the past five outings. 'Zona hit 48% (24-of-50) from the field, while turning it over 14 times, but while UCLA turned it over just eight times, it was only 39% (28-of-72) from the field, and 21% (3-of-14) from downtown.

USC TROJANS VS. ARIZONA WILDCATS BETTING ODDS

• USC +475
• Arizona -575
• USC +11.5 (-110)
• Arizona State -10.5 (-115)
• Under 149.5 (-110)
• Over 146.0 (-110)

More Odds | Futures Odds

USC TROJANS VS. ARIZONA WILDCATS BETTING RESOURCES

• Matchup: Pac-12
• Date: Saturday, February 5, 2022
• Venue: McKale Center
• Location: Tucson, Arizona
• TV-Time: FOX - 5:00 p.m. ET

• Injury Report
• Wooden Award Odds
• Conference Futures Market
• Power Rankings

USC TROJANS BETTING ANALYSIS

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

• SU: 19-3
• ATS: 11-11
• O/U: 10-12

USC topped Arizona State on the road last time out Thursday, and eased by Cal on Jan. 29 in the most recent home outing. However, the Trojans are 0-3 ATS across the past three games following a 3-0 ATS run from Jan. 20-24.

The Trojans heads into this one 6-2 ATS in the past eight road games, while going 10-3 ATS in the past 13 as a road underdog. They're also 11-5 ATS in the past 16 games overall as a 'dog.

For totals, the UNDER is 10-4-1 in the past 15 road outings, while going 29-12 in the past 41 games played on a Saturday. However, the OVER is 4-1 in the past five against teams with a winning overall record.

ARIZONA WILDCATS BETTING ANALYSIS

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

• SU: 18-2
• ATS: 12-7-1
• O/U: 10-10

The Wildcats won and covered against UCLA in another showdown Thursday. Can they bring the intensity for another top-tier opponent on Saturday?

Arizona has an impressive 7-3-1 ATS in the past 11 games against teams with a winning overall record, while going 27-13-3 ATS in the past 43 games at home when facing a team with a winning road record, so it appears they'll be equal to the task.

For totals, the UNDER is 6-1 in the past seven games overall, while cashing in each of the past four at home. The UNDER is also 4-0 in the past four as a home favorite, and 6-1 in the past seven as a favorite overall.

USC has won two of the past three meetings, including the most recent trip to Tucson on Jan. 7, 2021. The Trojans are also 5-1 ATS in the past six meetings, with the underdog cashing in each of the previous five installments in this series.

Arizona has covered just once in the past six meetings against USC. (AP)

INSIDE THE STATS - USC TROJANS

• Record: 19-3
• VI Ranking: 20
• PS/G: 73.8 (120th)
• PA/G: 63.0 (35th)
• ORtg: 108.6 (61st)
• DRtg: 92.7 (52nd)

INSIDE THE STATS - ARIZONA WILDCATS

• Record: 18-2
• VI Ranking: 5
• PS/G: 85.5 (3rd)
• PA/G: 64.5 (63rd)
• ORtg: 113.6 (17th)
• DRtg: 85.8 (4th)

KEY PLAYERS TO WATCH

• USC: Boogie Ellis - G (13.0 PPG, 3.5 RPG, 2.7 APG, 44.5 FG%)
• USC: Isaiah Mobley - F (14.7 PPG, 8.5 RPG, 3.1 APG, 1.0 BPG)
• ZONA: Bennedict Mathurin - G (16.9 PPG, 6.2 RPG, 2.1 APG, 1.0 SPG)
• ZONA: Azuolas Tubelis - F (14.2 PPG, 6.0 RPG, 2.6 APG, 55.2 FG%)

USC TROJANS VS. ARIZONA WILDCATS BETTING CONCLUSION

USC is coming off a very ugly showing at Arizona State, and perhaps they were caught looking ahead a little bit to this titanic showdown. For Arizona, they're coming off a huge game, and it will be difficult to match the kind of intensity it brought to the hardwood Thursday against UCLA. It's a good team, however, and Arizona should be able to protect its home arena against the upstart USC team. However, I expect this one to be decided by single digits rather than a double-digit win for the home side. And the books are all over the board in terms of the total. I think the UNDER is the play, especially after USC's performance the other day.

USC TROJANS VS. ARIZONA WILDCATS BETTING TRENDS

• USC is 6-2 ATS in the past eight road games.
• USC is 11-5 ATS in the past 16 as an underdog.
• USC is 10-3 ATS in the past 13 as a road 'dog.
• Arizona is 7-3-1 ATS in the past 11 vs. winning teams.
• Arizona is 9-4-1 ATS in the past 14 following a SU win.
• Arizona is 5-2-1 ATS in the past eight following a cover.
• The UNDER is 10-4-1 in the past 15 road games for USC.
• The OVER is 4-1 in the past five vs. winning teams for USC.
• The UNDER is 6-1 in the past seven games overall for Arizona.
• The UNDER is 4-0 in the past four home games for Arizona.
• The UNDER is 6-1 in the past seven as a favorite for Arizona.
• The UNDER is 4-0 in the past four as a home favorite for Arizona.
• The underdog is 5-0 ATS in the past five meetings.
• USC is 5-1 ATS in the past six meetings.

Daniel Dobish

Dan is a handicapper and sports betting expert for VegasInsider with years of experience writing for a number of top publications in the industry. More from Daniel Dobish