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College Basketball

UCLA Bruins vs. USC Trojans Predictions, Picks, Odds

Michael Crosson
Michael Crosson Sports Betting Expert
5 minute read

Saturday’s late-night college basketball betting board features a Pac-12 showdown between the No. 12 UCLA Bruins and the No. 21 USC Trojans. The 10 p.m. (ET) tip at the Galen Center will be covered nationally by ESPN.

SCORE PREDICTION

USC 67, UCLA 64

BEST BETS

Under 135.5 (-110) at DraftKings

UCLA BRUINS VS. USC TROJANS PREDICTIONS

The Bruins snapped a rare two-game skid with Tuesday’s nine-point road win over Stanford closing as 7.5-point favorites. The road loss to Arizona on Feb. was understandable as seven- point underdogs. The three-point road loss to Arizona State two days later as 10-point favorites was a bit of a shock.

USC also lost to Arizona on the road recently in a nine-point setback as an 11-point underdog. This followed a five-point road victory over Arizona State on Feb. 3 as a six-point favorite. The Trojans mixed in a nonconference matchup against Pacific this past Tuesday and came away with a closer than expected six-point victory as 19-point favorites at home.

This series has remained rather tight over the past several seasons, but USC has won the last four meetings SU. Playing the first of two games this season at home, my lean is towards the Trojans extending that streak to five. However, my best bet for Saturday night’s late start on the West Coast is the UNDER on the total line.

UCLA BRUINS VS. USC TROJANS BETTING ODDS

  • UCLA -135
  • USC +115
  • UCLA -2.5 (-105)
  • USC +2.5 (-115)
  • Over 135.5 (-110)
  • Under 135.5 (-110)

More Odds | Futures Odds

UCLA BRUINS VS. USC TROJANS BETTING RESOURCES

  • Matchup: Pac-12
  • Date: Saturday, February 12, 2022
  • Venue: Galen Center
  • Location: Los Angeles, California
  • TV-Time: ESPN - 10:00 p.m. ET

UCLA BRUINS BETTING ANALYSIS

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

  • SU: 17-4
  • ATS: 10-10-1
  • O/U: 10-11

At 9-3 straight-up in Pac-12 play, the Bruins are a game and half off the pace set by Arizona. They are 17-4 SU overall. Going back to a conference win over Colorado as 3.5-point road favorites, they are 5-2 against the spread over their last seven games. The total has stayed UNDER or ended as a PUSH in four of those seven contests.

Guard Johnny Juzang continues to lead the team in scoring with an average of 18.1 points per game. He is shooting 45.5% from the field and connecting on 36.8% of his three-point shots. Guard Jamie Jacquez Jr. is next on the list with 13.2 PPG while connecting on 47.4% of his shots from the field.

Two more guards in Jules Bernard (12.8 points) and Tyger Campbell (11.2 points) round out the list of players scoring in double figures. Campbell leads the way in assists with 4.7 a game and he is shooting 40.7% from three-point range. Bernhard is adding 5.1 rebounds to the team’s 37.6 average.

The Bruins have been able to average 77.8 points a game this season while shooting 45.2% from the field and 34.3% from three-point range. They are converting on 71.9% of their free throw attempts. Defensively, they are holding opposing teams to 65.9 PPG.

USC TROJANS BETTING ANALYSIS

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

  • SU: 20-4
  • ATS: 12-12
  • O/U: 11-13

With the recent win against Pacific, USC improved to 20-4 SU this season. All four of those losses have come in conference play. Failing to cover in that last game dropped its record to 1-4 ATS over the past five outings. The total went OVER 134.5 points in Tuesday’s 74-68 victory after staying UNDER in five of the Trojans’ previous seven conference games.

USC played without forward Isaiah Mobley against Pacific. He missed that game with a fractured nose and his status for Saturday is unknown. He leads the team in both points (14.7) and rebounds (8.5) as a key figure in the starting lineup.

Guard Boogie Ellis is next on the list in scoring with 12.8 PPG. He is shooting 43.1% from the field. Forward Chevez Goodwin (11.9 points) and guard Drew Peterson (10.9 points) round out USC’s top four scorers. Goodwin is second on the team in rebounds (6.8) and Peterson tops the list in assists with 3.2 a game.

The Trojans are scoring an average of 73.3 PPG. They are shooting 45.8% from the field and 34.3% from outside the three-point line. Foul shooting has not been a strong point at 64.4%. Yet, they are averaging 41 rebounds a game with 12.1 on offense. USC matches up well against UCLA on defense with a points-allowed average of 63.6 PPG.

UCLA is 1-5 SU in their last six matchups against USC. (AP)

INSIDE THE STATS - UCLA BRUINS

  • Record: 17-4
  • VI Ranking: 15
  • PS/G: 77.8 (41st)
  • PA/G: 65.9 (87th)
  • ORtg: 110.9 (33rd)
  • DRtg: 94 (63rd)

INSIDE THE STATS - USC TROJANS

  • Record: 20-4
  • VI Ranking: 20
  • PS/G: 73.3 (126th)
  • PA/G: 63.6 (41st)
  • ORtg: 107.9 (68th)
  • DRtg: 93.6 (58th)

KEY PLAYERS TO WATCH

  • UCLA: Jules Bernard - G (12.8 PPG, 5.1 REB, 1.8 AST)
  • UCLA: Johnny Juzang - G (18.1 PPG, 5.2 REB, 1.8 AST)
  • USC: Isaiah Mobley - F (14.7 PPG, 8.5 REB, 3.2 AST)
  • USC: Boogie Ellis - G (12.8 PPG, 3.4 REB, 2.8 AST)

UCLA BRUINS VS. USC TROJANS BETTING CONCLUSION

While USC has won the last four meetings SU, this heated rivalry is an even 5-5 SU over the last 10 games. UCLA has the slight 6-4 edge ATS. The fact that seven of those last 10 games have stayed UNDER the closing line adds some betting value to the total line for Saturday night’s tilt.

Of more importance is the playing status of Mobley. Even if he can go, the UNDER in this game remains the strongest play. With him out of the lineup, it becomes slightly more attractive even with the adjustment in the betting line.

UCLA BRUINS VS. USC TROJANS BETTING TRENDS

  • UCLA is 5-2 ATS in their last seven games.
  • USC is 5-1 SU in their last six matchups against UCLA.
  • USC is 1-4 ATS in their last five games.
  • The total has gone UNDER in six of the last seven matchups between USC and UCLA.
  • USC is 16-4 SU in their last 20 games.

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Michael Crosson

Michael Crosson

Michael Crosson began his time at VegasInsider as a freelance NBA writer back in 2019 while he continued to study Psychology and Biology at James Madison University. Following his graduation in 2021, Michael joined the team full-time, and he's been with VI ever since. Michael still writes NBA, NFL, and MLB for VI, as well as gambling industry news. He's also become a crucial part of our editorial production team. More from Michael Crosson
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