USC at Arizona odds, picks and predictions
The USC Trojans (8-9, 2-4 Pac-12) and the Arizona Wildcats (12-4, 3-2) meet Wednesday at McKale Center. Tip-off is scheduled for 10 p.m. ET (ESPN). Below, we analyze FanDuel Sportsbook's lines around the USC vs. Arizona odds, and make our expert college basketball picks, predictions and best bets.
The Trojans are in freefall, dropping 4 of the past 6 games, all inside the conference. USC covered a 12-point number at Colorado on Saturday in a 68-58 loss, but the Trojans are just 3-3 against the spread (ATS) in conference play and 4-6 ATS across the past 10 outings.
The Wildcats are looking to bounce back after a shocking 73-70 loss at Washington State as 9-point favorites. They have actually lost 4 of the past 8 games, although none of those setbacks are at home. Arizona is still 12-4 ATS on the season, but just 4-4 ATS across the past 8 outings.
Arizona is No. 13 in the Paste BN Sports Coaches Poll.
Stream select live college basketball games and full replays: Get ESPN+
USC at Arizona odds
Provided by FanDuel Sportsbook; access Paste BN Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 11:35 a.m. ET.
- Moneyline (ML): USC +1400 (bet $100 to win $1,400) | Arizona -4000 (bet $4,000 to win $100)
- Against the spread (ATS): USC +19.5 (-115) | Arizona -19.5 (-105)
- Over/Under (O/U): 159.5 (O: -110 | U: -110)
USC at Arizona picks and predictions
Prediction
Arizona 87, USC 69
Moneyline
Arizona (-4000) is way too expensive to play straight up (SU). Really, it shouldn't have to be said, but there is no way to justify suggesting someone spend $100 for every $2.50 won. While there is likely very little chance the Trojans upset the Wildcats in their building, why take the chance for pennies?
PASS.
Against the spread
USC +19.5 (-115) might not win this game, or even come close, but it's not like Arizona -19.5 (-105) is slaying it lately, either. The Wildcats are just 4-4 SU and ATS across the past 8 games, so laying nearly 20 points is quite a bit.
Yes, Arizona is 8-1 ATS this season as a double-digit favorite, but this is also a team which was laying 9 to a mediocre Washington State team last time out, and it lost outright.
USC cashed as a double-digit underdog at Colorado, just barely, and it is likely to do so again by the skin of its teeth.
Play our free daily Pick’em Challenge and win! Play now!
Over/Under
UNDER 159.5 (-110) is the best play on the board, as this number is quite high.
The Trojans have hit the Under in each of the past 2 games, scoring 61.0 points per game (PPG) while yielding 70.0 PPG. USC has gone for 75 or fewer points in 4 true road games against Power 6 conference opponents.
The Wildcats cashed the Under against Wazzu, and the total has gone low in 2 of the past 3 games. This is an explosive offense, ranking 1st in the nation with 91.2 PPG while hitting 49.6% from the field. And the defense hasn't been very good, allowing 71.9 PPG, with teams hitting 33.8% from behind the 3-point line.
All that being said, Arizona's defense has been much better lately, and it should hold USC's offense under its season averages.
For more sports betting picks and tips, check out SportsbookWire.com and BetFTW.
Follow Kevin J. Erickson on Twitter/X. Follow SportsbookWire on Twitter/X and like us on Facebook.
College sports coverage from Paste BN Sports Media Group:
Alabama / Arkansas / Auburn / Clemson / Colorado / Florida / Georgia / Iowa / LSU / Michigan / Michigan State / Nebraska / North Carolina / Notre Dame / Ohio State / Oklahoma / Oregon / Penn State / Rutgers / Tennessee / Texas / Texas A&M / USC / Wisconsin /
College Sports Wire: Men's hoops / Women's hoops / High School
[]