Galen Center will host USC Trojans vs. UC Riverside Highlanders action on Saturday as both teams try to pay off for bettors in NCAA basketball betting action.

The Trojans sit at 3-6 (2-6 ATS) on the season. By comparison, the Highlanders are currently 2-7 (3-5 ATS). Looking to wager on the totals? USC is 4-3 OU, and UC Riverside is 2-1 OU.



View UC Riverside vs USC Odds and Stats.

Betting Line:
USC opened as 17-point favorites in this college basketball tilt over at Sportsbook but the number may be on the move. Watch for the Sportsbook total as well at Sportsbook.

Power Rankings / Prediction:
The Trojans sit at No. 259 in the current college hoops power poll here at Odds Shark, while the Highlanders sit at No. 213 on the same chart. The computers running our scores simulations have concluded that the Trojans will win this game 60-56.



How They Match Up:
Rebounding is always a key handicapping consideration and Highlanders is ranked No. 65 in NCAA hoops at 38.9 per game. Contrast that with USC’s No. 255 mark in the paint. When it comes to three-point shooting, USC is the No. 299-ranked team in the country at 4.4 per game, while UC Riverside rates No. 308 at 4.3 per game.

Defensively, UC Riverside features the nation's No. 205-rated defense on the road, allowing 71.8 points per game. USC, meanwhile, comes in at No. 280 nationally in scoring at home.

In their last action, UC Riverside was a 62-40 loser on the road against Pepperdine. They failed to cover the 7-point spread as underdogs. UC Riverside was run off the court by the Waves on Wednesday as Pepperdine routed them 62-40 at Firestone Fieldhouse.

USC was a 71-57 loser in its last match at home against Minnesota. They failed to cover the 7.5-point spread as underdogs. Omar Oraby scored 15 points in a futile effort to lead the Trojans to a win (they lost 71-57 to Minnesota at Galen Center on Saturday).


UC Riverside Highlanders Trends:
When playing on Saturday are 5-5
After a loss are 4-6

USC Trojans Trends:
When playing on Saturday are 6-4
Before playing UC Irvine are 2-0
After playing Minnesota are 0-1
After a loss are 1-9

A few Highlanders at Trojans trends to consider:
UC Riverside is 2-5 ATS in its last 7 games on the road
UC Riverside is 0-5 SU in its last 5 games on the road
USC is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games when playing UC Riverside
USC is 4-12 SU in its last 16 games at home
USC is 0-5 ATS in its last 5 games
USC is 0-5 SU in its last 5 games


Next up:
UC Riverside home to Whittier College, Tuesday, December 18
USC home to UC Irvine, Thursday, December 20