After a holiday lull, the Arizona Wildcats have picked their game back up and look to continue their winning ways against a USC program they have had their way with recently. The Wildcats opened as double-digit favorites, but they’re the superior team — and a strong play on Thursday.
- Date/Time: February 6, 9 p.m. ET
- Arena: McKale Center
- TV Coverage: ESPN 2
- Sportsbook Odds: Arizona -11.5 | O/U 138.5
- USC vs Arizona Matchup Report
Sportsbook Odds Analysis
The Wildcats opened as 11.5-point favorites. Why? Because they rank higher in scoring, defense, rebounding and assists, they have been dominant at home and they have won nine straight home games against the Trojans. The last 10 meetings between these teams have combined for just over 150 points per game, but the total for Thursday’s game opened a little lower at 138.5 points.
USC News & Notes
USC is 6-3 in conference play this season and has won five of its last seven games overall. But two of those losses came against ranked teams, including a 78-57 drubbing at the hands of Colorado on Saturday.
Those are the Trojans’ only two games against ranked opponents so far this season, but the early results create some doubt as they face No. 23 Arizona, an opponent they are 4-11 SU and 5-10 ATS against in their last 15 meetings.
USC has played relatively strong on the road, however, going 5-2 SU and 6-1 ATS this season. But the Trojans currently sit outside the top 120 programs in the country in scoring offense and defense, which does not bode well against an Arizona team that has one of the country’s most prolific offenses.
Arizona News & Notes
The Wildcats may have a weaker record than their opponent coming into Thursday’s home game against USC, but major team metrics say Arizona is a far superior program.
The Wildcats sit 22nd in the nation at 79.8 points per game, which also leads the Pac-12, while they’re also 22nd in opponent field-goal percentage, 30th in assists and 79th in defensive scoring.
After a stretch in which they lost five out of seven dating back to last year, the Wildcats have gone 4-1 SU and ATS in their last five games. They’ll also relish the opportunity to play at home, where they are 10-1 SU and 9-2 ATS this season — and also where they have beaten USC nine straight times.
Betting Pick: Arizona -11.5
USC has been strong on the road this season but has struggled against high-caliber opponents. Arizona is the more talented team, is rounding into shape and dominates at home. I’ll take the Wildcats to cover.
- The UNDER is 4-2 in the last 6 games in this matchup.
- Arizona is 4-1 ATS in its last 5 games.
- The UNDER is 8-3 in USC’s last 11 games.
