USC Trojans (25-5) vs. UCLA Bruins (22-6)
March 5, 2022 10:00 pm EDT
The Line: UCLA Bruins -7.5 / USC Trojans +7.5; Over/Under: 141.5
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The 16th ranked USC Trojans will travel to Pauley Pavilion to take on the 17th ranked UCLA Bruins this Saturday night in College Basketball action.
The 16th ranked USC Trojans had their 6-game winning streak snapped and dropped to 25-5 on the season after being defeated by the 2nd ranked Arizona Wildcats, 91-71, this past Tuesday. USC struggled defensively against Arizona and could not fight back after going halftime trailing by a 51-27 margin. USC shot 39.7% from the field & 22.2% from beyond the arc while allowing Arizona to shoot 55.6% from the field & 48.0% from beyond the arc. Leading the way for the Trojans was Max Agbonkpolo who had 14 points, 3 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 block, & 1 steal.
On the season, USC is averaging 73.4 ppg on 45.4% shooting from the field. The Trojans are averaging 6.7 three-pointers per game on 35.2% shooting from beyond the arc. Offensively, USC has been led by Isaiah Mobley (14.4 ppg, 8.5 rpg, 3.2 apg, 1.0 bpg), Drew Peterson (12.4 ppg, 6.3 rpg, 3.3 apg), Boogie Ellis (12.2 ppg, 3.3 rpg, 2.6 apg), & Chavez Goodwin (11.5 ppg, 6.5 rpg).
Defensively, USC is holding their opponents to an average of 65.7 ppg on 38.7% shooting from the field. The Trojans have a rebound margin of 6.5 and a turnover margin of -1.3.
The 17th ranked UCLA Bruins won their 2nd straight game and improved to 22-6 on the season after being defeated by the Washington Huskies, 77-66, this past Monday. UCLA trailed by a 29-25 margin at halftime, however, the Bruins were outstanding on the offensive end in the 2nd half and easily pulled away for the victory after taking a 64-46 lead with 5:27 left in regulation. UCLA shot 46.4% from the field & 33.3% from beyond the arc while allowing Washington to shoot 43.3% from the field & 29.4% from beyond the arc. Leading the way for the Bruins was Jaime Jaquez Jr. who had 30 points, 9 rebounds, 1 assist, & 1 steal.
On the season, UCLA is averaging 76.8 ppg on 44.9% shooting from the field. The Bruins are averaging 7.1 three-pointers per game on 35.4% shooting from beyond the arc. Offensively, UCLA has been led by Johnny Juzang (17.0 ppg, 4.7 rpg, 1.8 apg), Jaime Jaquez Jr. (12.8 ppg, 5.4 rpg, 2.1 apg, 1.1 spg), Jules Bernard (12.0 ppg, 4.7 rpg, 1.7 apg), & Tyger Campbell (11.8 ppg, 2.7 rpg, 4.3 apg, 1.2 spg).
Defensively, UCLA is holding their opponents to an average of 64.2 ppg on 41.1% shooting from the field. The Bruins have a rebound margin of 4.2 and a turnover margin of 4.3.
The Trojans are 4-0 ATS in their last 4 road games vs. a team with a winning home record, however, are just 1-4 ATS in their last 5 games overall. The Bruins are 6-0-1 ATS in their last 6 games overall & 9-3-1 ATS in their last 13 Saturday games.
UCLA has been great at home this season and come into this game ranked 50th in scoring offense & 41st in scoring defense, however, I just think this is too many points to give an above average USC team that defeated UCLA by a 67-64 margin earlier this season. USC is 9-2 on the road and as I think the Trojans defense, which ranks t-75th in scoring defense & 14th in defensive FG%, will keep this game competitive, I think USC does enough to cover with the large number of points. Good Luck!
