Arizona vs USC Prediction College Basketball Picks 3/9/24

USC (12-17) vs Arizona (23-6)

Game Info: Saturday, March 9, 2024 at 10:00 pm (Galen Center)

Betting Odds: USC +7.5 - Over/Under: 159.5 Click Here for the Latest Odds

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The Arizona Wildcats will stay in Los Angeles to face the USC Trojans in Pac-12 play this Saturday from the Galen Center on ESPN. Arizona enters as 7.5-point road favorites, with the total hovering 159.5. Stay tuned for our Arizona vs USC Prediction.

Arizona Preview: Wildcats Looking For Another Party in LA

Arizona climbed to 24-6 after defeating UCLA on the road, 88-65. The Wildcats bullied the Bruins throughout the contest, and they’ll try to do the same here versus the Trojans. Arizona is scoring 90.3 points per game, on 49.5% shooting, while allowing 72.1 ppg, and they’re currently first in the Pac-12 with a 14-4 record in league play. The Wildcats are 9-1 over their last ten games, and they’ve gone 6-3 on the road this season.

Arizona Team Profile

Tommy Lloyd’s team pushes the tempo at will, averaging 77.2 possessions per game (8th), and they’ve knocked down 37.7% of their treys.
UNC transfer Caleb Love has reached the 22-point mark in three of the last four games, and he leads Arizona in scoring (19.4), while grabbing 5.1 rpg.
Junior big Oumar Ballo has grabbed 12 boards or more in three straight contests, and he leads the Wildcats in rebounding (10.2), while adding 13.1 ppg.
Veteran guard Pelle Larson led the way with 22 points in the win over Oregon, and he’s first on the team in assists (3.7), while averaging 13.3 ppg.

Southern Cal Preview: Tough Season for the Trojans Nearing Its Close

USC dropped to 13-17 after defeating Arizona State at home, 81-73. The Trojans pulled away from the Sun Devils in the second half, and they’ll attempt to upset the conference champs here at home. Southern Cal is scoring 74.7 points per game, on 44.7% shooting, while allowing 72.5 ppg, and they’re currently 11th in the Pac-12 with a 4-11 record in league play. The Trojans are 2-8 over their last ten games, and they’ve gone 1-8 on the road this season.

USC Team Profile

Andy Enfield’s group is guard-heavy and likes to play an up-tempo style, averaging 74.4 possessions per game (72nd), and they’re a solid three-point shooting team, connecting on 35.4% of their attempts (107th).
Veteran guard Boogie Ellis’ return to the lineup led to A win over Oregon State, and he leads SC in scoring (16.8).
Freshman guard Isaiah Collier scored a team-high 20 points in the loss to Cal, and he’s second on the team at 15.6 ppg.
Wazzu transfer DJ Rodman grabbed 14 boards in the Oregon State victory, and he leads USC in rebounding (5.0), while averaging 7.8 ppg.

Arizona vs Southern Cal Trends

Arizona leads the current series, 68-31, but Colorado has won three of the last five meetings.
ARZ is 20-10 against the spread, with a 15-14-1 O/U record
USC is 14-16 ATS, with a 20-10 over/under record.

Arizona vs USC Prediction

Both schools have endured two very different final seasons as members of the Pac-12. Arizona returned to looking like an annual contender, while Southern Cal failed to live up to expectations this season. The Wildcats have their eyes on a number one seed for the Bug Dance, so it’s unlikely they slow down against a lowly Trojans team. Another assertive victory for Arizona is worth backing, and that’s the way I’m swaying for this conference battle.