USC vs UCLA Prediction 2/24/2026 Today’s College Basketball Picks

The USC Trojans and the UCLA Bruins meet Tuesday in college basketball action from the Pauley Pavilion. We will look at this from a betting perspective and determine the best bets for this game. Here’s a USC Trojans vs. UCLA Bruins prediction.

USC Trojans Recap

The USC Trojans come into this game looking to bounce back from their 71-70 loss at the hands of Oregon last time out to sit at 18-9 this season. After this game, USC will head home for a game against Nebraska.

Trojans Lose 3 In A Row

Chad Baker-Mazara has 18.9 PPG with 4.2 RPG and 2.9 APG while Rodney Rice has 20.3 PPG with 3.3 RPG and 6 APG so far this season. Ezra Ausar has 15.7 PPG with 6.4 RPG and Jacob Cofie has 10 PPG with 7.1 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 80.3 PPG on 46.2% shooting from the field, 32.3% from three and 71.7% from the foul line this season.

UCLA Bruins Recap

The UCLA Bruins come into this game looking to add on to their 95-94 win over Illinois last time out to sit at 18-9 this season. After this game, UCLA will head on the road for a game against Minnesota.

Bruins Snap Two-Game Skid

Tyler Bilodeau leads UCLA in scoring with 18.1 PPG with 5.6 RPG while Skyy Clark has 12.9 PPG with 2.3 RPG. Donovan Dent has 13.3 PPG with 2.7 RPG and a team-high 7.2 APG to lead the Bruins in the assist department and Eric Dailey Jr. has 11 PPG with 5.5 RPG to lead the Bruins in rebounding and Trent Perry has 12.7 PPG with 2.9 RPG and 2.6 APG to cap off the group of double-digit scorers for UCLA up to this point in the year. Xavier Booker has 7.4 PPG with 3.6 RPG this season. As a team, UCLA is averaging 77.9 PPG on 46.6% shooting from the field, 37.9% from three and 76.6% from the foul line this season.

USC Trojans @ UCLA Bruins Betting Trends: February 24, 2026

Why the UCLA Bruins will win

• UCLA has won each of its last 12 games after coming off overtime.
• USC has lost four of its last five night games.
• UCLA has won the first half in 25 of its last 27 games at Edwin W. Pauley Pavilion presented by Wescon against non-AP-ranked opponents.

Why the USC Trojans will win

• USC has won each of its last seven Tuesday games.
• UCLA has lost the first half in each of its last four games.

Total Points Facts

• Eight of the last nine night games between USC and UCLA have produced a total of 143 or fewer points.
• Each of USC’s last four night games at Edwin W. Pauley Pavilion presented by Wescon have produced a total of 143 or fewer points.

Matchup/League Facts

• UCLA ranks 14th among Division 1 teams for turnovers per game this season (9.4).
• UCLA ranks T15th among Division 1 teams for opponent steals per game this season (5.0).
• USC ranks 3rd among Division 1 teams for free throw attempts per game this season (27.4).
• USC ranks 361st among Division 1 teams for opponent free throw percentage this season (77.5%).

USC Trojans vs. UCLA Bruins Prediction

I’m on UCLA here. It’s a rivalry game for these two, and UCLA’s coming off of the big Illinois win, but I just can’t get there with this USC team that’s so incredibly banged up, and that always seems to fall flat in the games where you need them the most. UCLA has been a lot stronger at home this year, and I think UCLA snags the win and cover here. Give me UCLA.

Chris Ruffolo's Pick: UCLA -6.5