USC vs UCLA Prediction 3/8/25 College Basketball Picks

The USC Trojans and UCLA Bruins meet on Saturday in college basketball action at Pauley Pavilion. Here’s a USC vs UCLA prediction. This article will include a USC vs UCLA Pick.

USC Trojans Betting Preview

The USC Trojans (15-15, 12-18 ATS) are going through their roughest patch of the season after suffering seven losses in nine games. USC was on a five-game losing skid, the longest losing streak of the campaign, but managed to avoid the sixth straight defeat with a massive 92-61 home victory over Washington. That was arguably USC’s best performance of the season. The Trojans are 14th in the Big Ten Standings with the same record as Nebraska, Northwestern, Minnesota, and Rutgers.

USC averages 76.9 PPG (104th) and allows 74.5 PPG (34th). The Trojans are 406th in rebounds (31.2) and 72nd in assists (15.6). Desmond Claude leads the team with 15.8 PPG, 3.6 RPG, and a team-high 4.4 APG. Wesley Yates III follows him with 13.6 PPG, 2.6 RPG, and a team-high 1.3 SPG, while Chibuzo Agbo has 12.2 PPG, 4.4 RPG, and 1.0 SPG.

UCLA Bruins Betting Preview

The UCLA Bruins (21-9, 17-12-1 ATS) are playing very well lately. They won ten of the previous 13 games but are in a hot and cold form over the past month, winning three of the last six games and without back-to-back victories since February 8. UCLA is back home from a two-game road trip on which it fell to Purdue and beat Northwestern. UCLA is 6th in the Big Ten Standings with five wins ahead of USC and four behind the leaders Michigan State.

UCLA is averaging 74.4 PPG (175) and is allowing 65.1 PPG (24th). The Bruins are getting 32.7 RPG (359th) and dish out 16.1 APG (51st). Tyler Bilodeau is the team’s top performer with 14.1 PPG and 4.4 RPG. Eric Dailey Jr. adds 11.6 PPG, 4.2 RPG, and 1.2 SPG, while Sebastian Mack contributes 9.8 PPG and 2.2 RPG.

Why UCLA will beat USC

• UCLA has won 12 of its last 13 games at Edwin W. Pauley Pavilion presented by Wescon against non-AP-ranked opponents.
• USC has lost each of its last five road games.
• UCLA has won the first half in each of its last 12 games at Edwin W. Pauley Pavilion presented by Wescon against non-AP-ranked opponents.

Total Points Facts

• Each of UCLA’s last seven day games against non-AP-ranked opponents at Edwin W. Pauley Pavilion presented by Wescon has produced a total of 139 or fewer points.
• Eight of USC’s last nine road games against Conference opponents have produced a total of 146+ points.

Matchup/League Facts

• UCLA ranks 7th among Division 1 teams for opponent field goal attempts per game this season (51.6).
• UCLA ranks 16th among Division 1 teams for opponent field goals made per game this season (22.1).
• USC ranks 28th among Division 1 teams for field goal percentage this season (48.4%).
• USC ranks 42nd among Division 1 teams for true shooting percentage this season (58.8%).

USC vs UCLA Prediction

These city rivals have traded victories in recent H2H meetings as each recorded five over the last ten duels. However, UCLA did win five of the last seven, including the first clash of the season when it was 82-76 at USC. UCLA is excellent at home this year; the Bruins are 14-2 and won six of the past seven, while USC lost five in a row on the road. UCLA has a chance to improve its position prior to the conference tournament in Indianapolis next week, while USC could end up missing the tourney if the Trojans lose this one and other results are against them as well. That’s highly unlikely, though. UCLA has covered the Spread in 21 of its last 34 games and is 7-2-1 ATS over the previous ten. I am going with UCLA to win and cover.