UCLA (14-6) vs. USC (12-7)
January 27, 2025 10:00 pm EDT
The Line: USC +1.5; Over/Under: 140.5
(Get latest betting odds)
The UCLA Bruins and the USC Trojans meet Monday in college basketball action from Galen Center. Here’s a USC vs UCLA prediction. We will look at this from a betting perspective and determine the best USC vs UCLA pick.
UCLA Bruins Betting Preview
The Bruins kicked off the season on quite a strong run across their first 11 outings. UCLA would run into some trouble during a tough stretch in December and early January, but they’ve been able to right the ship since then. The Bruins went a smooth 10-1 in those first 11 games, losing to only New Mexico with wins otherwise versus Rider, Boston U, Lehigh, Idaho State, Cal State Fullerton, Southern Utah, Washington, Oregon, Arizona, and Prairie View. After a loss to North Carolina and a win over Gonzaga, the Bruins hit a four-game losing streak. Those losses were versus Nebraska, Michigan, Maryland, and Rutgers in succession. Since then UCLA has cleaned up their act on a three-game winning streak versus Iowa, Wisconsin, and Washington for a 14-6 overall run through the first 20 outings of the season.
Matched up against Washington on Friday, the Bruins held a 36-32 edge after the first half. UCLA kept the pace from there, notching a 29-28 advantage the rest of the way for a 65-60 victory in the end. Tops in scoring among the starters was Skyy Clark with 12 points, six boards, three assists, and two steals. Aday Mara came off the bench for 12 points as well, posting seven rebounds and five blocks in 30 minutes of work on the court.
USC Trojans Betting Preview
Over on the USC side, they’ve had a couple of rough stretches this season so far. The Trojans also have some solid runs in comparison, however, and they’ve beaten a few very good teams. USC fell to only Cal in their first six outings, beating Chattanooga, Idaho State, Texas Arlington, San Jose State, and Grambling otherwise. After losses to Saint Mary’s, New Mexico, and Oregon, the Trojans took out Washington, Montana State, Cal State Northridge, and Southern in the next four. Since then it’s been a 3-3 stretch for USC. The wins have come courtesy of Illinois, Iowa and Nebraska. The losses otherwise were versus Michigan, Indiana, and Wisconsin, giving the Trojans a 12-7 overall run through 19 games so far.
In their Wednesday outing versus Nebraska, the Trojans hit a 33-31 deficit in the first half. USC recovered in the second however, making the comeback on a 47-40 run for a 78-73 victory in the end. Leading the team in scoring during the win was Desmond Claude with 21 points, six assists, and three rebounds. Wesley Yates added 17 points with four steals, while Rashaun Agee came off the bench for 14 points, eight rebounds, and a steal in 22 minutes of work.
Why the USC Trojans will win
- USC has won seven of its last eight night games at Galen Center against non-AP-ranked opponents.
- UCLA has lost five of its last six games at Galen Center.
- USC has won the first half in each of its last nine night games at Galen Center.
Why the UCLA Bruins will win
- UCLA has won nine of its last 11 night games against non-AP-ranked opponents.
- UCLA has won the first half in 10 of its last 11 night games against non-AP-ranked opponents.
USC vs UCLA Prediction
I’ll lean toward USC in this one. We should have a good matchup here regardless, though. The Trojans hit the road and took out a decent Nebraska team in their last outing thanks to 44.3 percent shooting and 18-of-22 from the line (81.8 percent). The 36-31 rebounding advantage and 16 points off 11 Cornhuskers turnovers really helped out as well. During this current 3-1 stretch, USC has notched 78 or more points in all three wins. The Trojans have also scored a nice 69 or more points in 10 straight games (a 7-3 run).
As for UCLA, they shot a tepid 41.1 percent from the field with a 35-34 rebounding deficit in their last matchup versus Washington. The Bruins took advantage of 14 Huskies turnovers for 15 points though, which helped make the difference in the victory. UCLA has been below 69 points in five of their last eight games though, and they’ve given up 70 or more points in five of the last six. Should be a fun one to watch; I like USC slightly better but it’s a coin flip.
