UCLA (20-10) vs. USC (18-12)
March 7, 2026 9:00 pm EDT
The Line: USC +3.5; Over/Under: 150.5
(Get latest betting odds)
The UCLA Bruins and the USC Trojans meet Saturday in college basketball action from the Galen Center in Los Angeles. 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 got through their first 21 games this year at a pretty good clip, posting a 15-6 run in the books during that stretch. UCLA lost three of the next five games, though, taking defeats versus Indiana, Michigan, and Michigan State in that time. It’s been a 3-1 run since then, though, as the Bruins have dispatched Illinois, USC, and Nebraska for a 20-10 overall record this season.
In the Nebraska game on Tuesday, the Bruins were coming back out onto the floor after halftime with a 37-24 advantage on the scoreboard. UCLA kept it up from there on a 35-28 advantage and ended up finishing off the victory 72-52 on their home court. Trent Perry put up 20 points with seven boards and four assists to lead the team and Eric Dailey added 14 points with eight rebounds and two assists.
USC Trojans Betting Preview
Over on the Trojans’ side, they weren’t looking too bad at the 17-game mark this year on a 14-3 run. USC lost three of the next four games versus Purdue, Northwestern, and Iowa, though, ahead of wins over Rutgers, Indiana, and Penn State. Losses to Ohio State, Illinois, Oregon, UCLA, and Nebraska came next, giving the Trojans an 18-11 run through 29 games.
In game 30 on Wednesday versus Washington, USC managed to stay ahead in the first half, exiting the court with a 43-40 advantage. The Trojans were blasted 51-29 the rest of the way, however, leading to a loss on the road 91-72 as the game wound down. Tops in scoring was Alijah Arenas with 19 points and seven rebounds. Ezra Ausar managed to double up in the defeat with 17 points and 11 rebounds.
Why the USC Trojans will win
- The home team has won each of UCLA’s last eight games.
- UCLA has lost each of its last six Saturday road games against conference opponents.
- USC has won the first half in each of its last seven Saturday night home games against conference opponents.
Why the UCLA Bruins will win
- USC has lost each of its last six games.
- UCLA has won eight of its last nine night games against non-AP-ranked opponents.
- UCLA has won the first half in eight of its last nine games against USC.
USC vs UCLA Prediction
I’ll just stay with the Bruins. UCLA dispatched a very good Nebraska team without too much fanfare this week, hitting 46.7 percent from the field with just 38.8 percent shooting allowed on defense. The Bruins had a 35-29 rebounding edge and just seven turnovers along the way. That gives UCLA three wins in the last four games, with 72 or more points scored in all of those outings.
These teams last met up back on February 24 in an 81-62 home win for UCLA. In that game the Bruins shot 49.2 percent from the field with 85.7 percent (12-of-14) at the line and just four turnovers. UCLA got outmuscled on the boards 37-28 but held the Trojans to just 35 percent shooting on defense. The road rematch will be a little trickier but UCLA should still have the advantage here.
