A high-scoring game should be expected when the No. 13 Arizona Wildcats (19-6, 9-3 Pac-12) and the USC Trojans (17-8, 8-4 Pac-12) square off at McKale Memorial Center. Arizona opened as a 5.5-point favorite, while the Over/Under (O/U) for the game has been set at 155 points. Tip-off is scheduled for 10:15 p.m. ET on Saturday, February 10, 2018.
USC Trojans vs. Arizona Wildcats Betting Preview
In the Trojans last contest, they lost a tough one against the Arizona State Sun Devils, 80-78. USC’s Nick Rakocevic had a good game, leading the team in scoring with 19 points on 6-for-6 shooting. Arizona State had a turnover percentage of 7.1 (better than their season average of 13.7). USC, meanwhile, held the Sun Devils to an effective field goal percentage of 0.469 (below their season average of 0.549).
The Wildcats are hoping for a better outcome after their 82-74 loss to the UCLA Bruins in their last outing. With 16 points and 12 rebounds, Deandre Ayton had a good performance for Arizona. UCLA had an effective field goal percentage of 0.605 (above their season average of 0.540). Arizona, on the other hand, held the Bruins to an offensive rebounding percentage of 22.6 (below their season average of 29.3).
This meeting figures to be a high-scoring affair as a pair of the NCAA’s best offenses square off. Arizona ranks eighth with 118.5 points per 100 possessions and USC is 33rd (113.9). Ball security should be an advantage for the Trojans. They rank 24th at avoiding errors (turnover percentage of 15.8 percent), while the Wildcats force the 77th-fewest turnovers in the nation (opponents turnover percentage of 17.4 percent).
Of USC’s 24 games that accepted bets, 13 have finished under the O/U total, while 14 of Arizona’s 25 games have finished over the O/U total. The Wildcats hold the significant advantage straight up (SU) (19-6 vs. 17-8), but the Trojans have the better against the spread (ATS) record (15-9-1 vs. 8-16-1).
Dusan Ristic has been exceptional over the last five games for Arizona, averaging 17.8 points and 8.6 rebounds per game.
This is the first time these teams will go head-to-head this year. The Wildcats won both matchups played against each other last season. In the most recent game, Arizona won 90-77. The Wildcats played a nearly perfect game. They had a turnover percentage of 10.2 and a solid offensive rebounding percentage of 32.3. The Trojans were 18.7 and 23.1, respectively, for those same stats.
USC Trojans at Arizona Wildcats Prediction
Prediction: SU Winner – USC, ATS Winner – USC, O/U – Under
Betting Notes:
- The Trojans rank 26th in steals allowed per game (5.0) while the Wildcats rank 89th (5.9).
- Arizona averages 4.6 blocks per game, which ranks 35th in the NCAA. USC ranks 64th in blocks allowed per game (2.9).
- USC is 9-3 ATS on the road with 7 unders and 5 overs.
- At home, Arizona is 3-9-1 ATS with 7 overs and 6 unders.
- Arizona ranks 59th in three pointers allowed per game (19.8) while USC ranks 228th (23.8).
- The Wildcats average 16.0 assists per game, which ranks 43rd in the NCAA. The Trojans rank 166th in assists allowed per game (13.9).
- Arizona ranks fifth in rebounds allowed per game (29.6) while USC ranks 84th (33.2).
Betting Trends:
- Arizona is 1-4 ATS with 4 overs and 1 under in their last five games.
- Over their last five games, USC is 3-2 ATS with 4 unders and 1 over.
- The Wildcats average margin of victory in their last five games has been 5.4, down from 9.7 for the season.
- During their last five games, the Trojans have scored an average of 75.4 points per game (4.3 below their season average) and allowed an average of 70.4 points per game (1.4 below their season average).
