| MATCHUP | USC Trojans | Michigan State Spartans |
|---|---|---|
| Team Records | 12-2 | 12-2 |
| Where | Breslin Center, East Lansing, MI | |
| When | Monday, January 5, 2026 | |
| Time | 08:30 PM EST | |
| TV | FS1 | |
The USC Trojans and the Michigan State Spartans meet Monday in college basketball action from Breslin Center in East Lansing. Here’s a USC vs Michigan State prediction. We will look at this from a betting perspective and determine the best USC vs Michigan State pick. We will examine the recent form and player performances for both teams, as well as the recent betting trends and streaks pertaining to this matchup. As we conclude, we will tie it all together with a summary that produces a sensible pick for a favorable betting outcome in this game.
USC Trojans Betting Preview
The Trojans hit the ground running this year with wins over Cal Poly, Manhattan, Illinois State, Troy, Boise State, Seton Hall, Arizona State and Oregon. After a loss to Washington, USC took out San Diego, Washington State, UTSA and UC Santa Cruz in the next four. Over the first 13 games that would give the Trojans a healthy 12-1 overall record in the books.
In their big Friday showdown with Michigan, the Trojans were in trouble at the break with a 49-31 deficit. USC was outscored 47-35 the rest of the way, leading to a 96-66 loss in the end. Topping the scorers in the losing effort was Jaden Brownell with 16 points and six boards in 28 minutes of action. Ezra Ausar added 15 points with six rebounds in 27 minutes of work as well.
Michigan State Spartans Betting Preview
Over on the Michigan State side, they started off with wins over Colgate, Arkansas, San Jose State, Kentucky, Detroit, East Carolina, North Carolina and Iowa in an 8-0 opening. After a loss to Duke, the Spartans recovered with wins over Penn State, Toledo, Oakland and Cornell. Across the first 13 games, the Spartans also had a 12-1 record this season overall.
Matched up against Nebraska on Friday, the Spartans held a 33-33 tie going into the locker room. Michigan State was outscored by two in the second half 25-23 and took a tough road loss 58-56 in the end. Jaxon Kohler was the leading scorer, doubling up on 19 points with 11 rebounds. Jeremy Fears added 14 points with seven assists and Kur Teng had 12 points with five rebounds in the loss.
USC Trojans @ Michigan State Spartans Betting Trends: January 5, 2026
Why the Michigan State Spartans will win
- Michigan State has won each of its last eight night games at Jack Breslin Student Events Center.
- USC has lost each of its last five night games against AP-ranked opponents.
- USC has lost the first half in each of its last four games as an AP-ranked team against an AP-ranked team.
Why the USC Trojans will win
- USC has won five of its last six night games.
- Michigan State has lost four of its last five games as a top-15 AP-ranked team against an AP-ranked team.
- Michigan State has lost the first half in three of its last four night games as a top-10 AP-ranked team against an AP-ranked team.
USC vs Michigan State Prediction
I’ll stick with Michigan State. The Spartans are coming off a tough loss at Pinnacle Bank Arena on Friday, and they’ll need to recover quickly for this one. Michigan State shot just 34 percent from the field in that one and coughed up a whopping 17 turnovers along the way. The Spartans owned the boards 43-28 though, and shot pretty well from the line (12-of-16 for 75 percent). The loss breaks a four-game win streak in which the Spartans had posted 76 or more points in each outing. That also makes a combined 116 points in Michigan State’s two losses.
As for USC, they weren’t able to do much in a tough road matchup against a very strong Michigan squad. The Trojans shot 34.5 percent from the field and 5-of-23 (21.7 percent) from outside along with 21 turnovers and a 46-24 deficit in the paint during the blowout defeat. USC had won four straight prior to that, scoring 94 or more points in three of those games. They’re in for another tough road matchup here.