Rutgers vs USC Prediction 1/31/2026 Today’s College Basketball Picks
Chris Ruffolo
Jan 28, 2026; Iowa City, Iowa, USA; Iowa Hawkeyes guard Bennett Stirtz (14) defends the shot of Southern California Trojans forward Chad Baker-Mazara (4) as forward Alvaro Folgueiras (7) and guard Isaia Howard (23) and guard Brendan Hausen (15) look on during the first half at Carver-Hawkeye Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-Imagn Images
MATCHUP
Rutgers Scarlet Knights
USC Trojans
Team Records
9-13
16-6
Where
Galen Center, Los Angeles, CA
When
Saturday, January 31, 2026
Time
07:00 PM EST
TV
Peacock
The Rutgers Scarlet Knights and the USC Trojans meet Saturday in college basketball action from the Galen Center. We will look at this from a betting perspective and determine the best bets for this game. Here’s a Rutgers Scarlet Knights vs. USC Trojans prediction.
Rutgers Scarlet Knights Recap
The Rutgers Scarlet Knights come into this game looking to shake off an 88-79 loss to Michigan State last time out to sit at 9-12 this season. After this game, Rutgers will head on the road again for a game against UCLA.
Scarlet Knights Lose 4 In A Row
Dylan Grant leads Rutgers in scoring with 14.4 PPG along with 5.8 RPG while Tariq Francis has 13.9 PPG with 2.4 RPG and 2.2 APG as the only other double-digit scorer for Rutgers so far this season. Jamichael Davis has 7.7 PPG with 2.8 RPG and a team-high 2.5 APG to lead the Scarlet Knights in assists. Emmanuel Ogbole has 5.3 PPG with a team-high 7.1 RPG to lead Rutgers on the glass so far this season. As a team, Rutgers is averaging 69 PPG on 40.4% shooting from the field, 31.9% from three and 71.1% from the foul line this season.
USC Trojans Recap
The USC Trojans come into this game looking to rebound from a 73-72 loss at the hands of Iowa last time out to sit at 15-6 this season. After this game, USC will take on Indiana at home.
Trojans Drop 3 Of Last 4
Chad Baker-Mazara has 19.9 PPG with 4.7 RPG and 3.4 APG while Rodney Rice has 20.3 PPG with 3.3 RPG and 6 APG so far this season. Ezra Ausar has 16.7 PPG with 6.1 RPG and Jacob Cofie has 10 PPG with 6.4 RPG to lead USC in rebounding and to round out the group of double-digit scorers for USC up to this point in the year. As a team, USC is averaging 84.3 PPG on 47.3% shooting from the field, 34% from three and 73.2% from the foul line this season.
Rutgers has lost each of its last six road games against Conference opponents.
USC has won eight of its last nine day games against non-AP-ranked opponents.
Rutgers has lost the first half in each of its last six day games.
Why the Rutgers Scarlet Knights will win
USC has lost five of its last six day games against Conference opponents.
Rutgers has won four of its last five games following an overtime loss.
USC has lost the first half in four of its last five day games against Conference opponents.
Total Points Facts
Each of USC’s last four games have produced a total of 145 or fewer points.
Four of Rutgers’ last five road day games against Conference opponents have produced a total of 146+ points.
Rutgers Scarlet Knights vs. USC Trojans Prediction
I’m on USC here. I just have no faith in this Rutgers team right now that struggled to score enough when they had a pair of NBA players on their roster last year, and I don’t see either of those guys walking through the door right now. USC is the better team with a lot more top-end talent and I think USC keeps it going at home here. Give me the Trojans here.
