Minnesota vs USC Prediction 2/15/25 College Basketball Picks

The Minnesota Golden Gophers are visiting the USC Trojans on Saturday, February 15th at the Galen Center. We will look at this from a betting perspective and determine the best bets for this game. Here’s a Minnesota Golden Gophers vs USC Trojans Prediction. We will examine:

The USC Trojans’ recent form and player performance

The Minnesota Golden Gophers’ recent form and player performance

Recent betting trends and streaks involving the USC Trojans

Recent betting trends and streaks involving the Minnesota Golden Gophers

Recent betting trends in games played between the Minnesota Golden Gophers and USC Trojans

A summary that ties it all together and produces a favorable betting outcome for the Minnesota Golden Gophers vs USC Trojans game

USC Trojans Preview

The USC Trojans have a 14-10 record this season and are sitting in 9th place in the Big Ten. USC is coming off a 92-67 win over Penn State. The Trojans are 11-13 against the spread, and 18-6 in over/under while having a 11-5 home record. 

Offensively, USC is averaging 77 points per game, which ranks 104th in the nation. Defensively, they allow 73.1 points per game (227th). The Trojans shoot 48.4% from the field (29th) and 35.6% from beyond the arc (94th). The Trojans shoot 72.8% from the free-throw line (157th) and are grabbing 31.7 rebounds per game (337th).

Desmond Claude leads USC in scoring, with an average of 16.2 points, 3.8 rebounds, and a team-high 4.4 assists, while Wesley Yates adds 12.5 points per game.

Minnesota Golden Gophers Preview

The Minnesota Golden Gophers have a 12-12 record this season and are sitting in 15th place in the Big Ten. Minnesota is coming off a 74-95 loss to Illinois. The Golden Gophers are 7-15-2 against the spread and 12-12 in over/under while having a 2-4 road record. 

Offensively, Minnesota is averaging 69 points per game, which is 300th in the nation. Defensively, they allow 69.8 points per game (120th). The Golden Gophers shoot 44.8% from the field (185th) and 32.9% from beyond the arc (248th). The Golden Gophers shoot 65.2% from the free-throw line (347th) and are grabbing 34.5 rebounds per game (289th).

Dawson Garcia leads Minnesota in scoring with an average of 19.8 points and a team-high 7.4 rebounds, while Lu’Cye Patterson adds 11.2 points, 3.6 rebounds, and a team-high 3.6 assists.

Why the USC Trojans will win

• USC has won nine of its last 10 games at Galen Center when playing with a rest disadvantage.
• Minnesota has lost 21 of its last 27 day games against the Big Ten Conference.
• Minnesota has lost the first half in each of its last four games against the Big Ten Conference.

Why the Minnesota Golden Gophers will win

• The road team has won each of Minnesota’s last three games.
• USC has lost each of its last three games following a home win.
• USC has lost the first half in three of its last four games against non-AP-ranked opponents.

Minnesota Golden Gophers vs USC Trojans Prediction

Minnesota has won both meetings against USC, covering the spread in both. In their most recent meeting back in 2012, Minnesota won 71-57 on the road.

In this Minnesota Golden Gophers vs USC Trojans Prediction, USC is coming as a -7.5 home favorites. USC is rightfully favored, as they have a better record this season, and have been very good at home, while Minnesota is below average on the road. Both teams are in similar average form lately, as USC is 5-5 in their last 10 games and 6-4 against the spread, while Minnesota is 4-6 in their last 10 games and 6-4 against the spread. Both teams have been involved in some higher-scoring games lately, as they are 14-4 to the over in their last 18 games combined, as USC is a top-100 team in the nation in points scored, and in both field goal percentages. I expect a high-scoring affair, so take the over.