UCLA Bruins vs USC Trojans Prediction, Picks and Game Preview - 01/26/2023

Game Time: 9:00 pm ET, Thursday, January 26, 2023

Venue:  Galen Center, Los Angeles, CA

Where to Watch:  ESPN2

DraftKings:  Point Spread:  UCLA -4.5, USC +4.5; Over/Under:  131 points

Bet365:  Point Spread:  UCLA -4.5, USC +4.5; Over/Under:  131 points

BetMGM:  Point Spread:  UCLA -4.5, USC +4.5; Over/Under:  131 points

UCLA Bruins:  17-3 (8-1) (1st place, PAC-12)

USC Trojans:  14-6 (6-3) (5th place, PAC-12)

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UCLA Bruins:  4-1  last 5

USC Trojans:  3-2  last 5

UCLA is coming into this game with a 17-3 record overall and they are 5-1 in their road games this season where they will be in this game. They are also 8-1 in their conference games this season as well. They are entering this game off of a loss against the Arizona Wildcats in their last game. Tyger Campbell led the team in points in that game with 13 while Jaime Jaquez Jr. and Jaylen Clark each were next on the team with 12 points. Tyger Campbell led the team in assists in that game with 7 while Jaime Jaquez Jr. led the team in rebounds with 11. They were 31.3% from the field, 20% from 3-point range, and 54.5% from the free throw line with their shooting in that game. Their offense is averaging 75.3 PPG and their defense is allowing their opponents to average 59.8 PPG against them. UCLA has an ATS record of 12-8 this season and their O/U record is 9-11.

USC is coming into this game with a 14-6 record overall and they are 9-1 in their home games this season where they will be in this game. They are also 6-3 in their conference schedule this season as well. They are entering this game off of a win against the Arizona State Sun Devils in their last game. Drew Peterson led the team in points in that game with 19 while Boogie Ellis was next on the team with 18 points. Drew Peterson and Boogie Ellis each led the team in assists in that game with 4 while Drew Peterson led the team in rebounds with 8. They were 49.1% from the field, 38.9% from 3-point range, and 100% from the free throw line with their shooting in that game. Their offense is averaging 71.2 PPG and their defense is allowing their opponents to average 66.3 PPG against them. USC has an ATS record of 11-9 this season and their O/U record is 9-11.

The current betting odds have UCLA listed as a 4.5 point favorite in this game according to Draftkings Sportsbook. UCLA has been having a great season as they enter this game with a 17-3 record overall and ranked as one of the best teams in the country. They have been great in their road games with a 5-1 road record and they have been running the PAC-12 with their 8-1 conference record. USC has also been having a good season as they are 14-6 overall and have been great in their home games with a 9-1 home record. They have even been good in their conference games with their 6-3 conference record this year but they have struggled a lot more in their games against some of the better teams in the conference. They just pulled off a nice win against Arizona State in their last game but now they have one of the best teams in the country coming into their building and they are going to be very angry after losing their 1st conference game of the season in their last game. UCLA is going to bounce back in a big way here and show why they are one of the best in the country. The best way to place a bet here is on UCLA to cover the spread in this game.

UCLA USC Prediction:  Our NCAAB Pick for Thursday, January 26, 2023 (9:00 pm ET start time) is UCLA 88 USC 79.

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UCLA Bruins: 11-6 ATS as a favorite. 17-7 ATS in a road game where the total is 129.5 or less. 6-1 UNDER after 5 straight games committing 14 or less turnovers.

USC Trojans: 19-36 ATS in a home game where the total is 129.5 or less. 13-23 ATS off a win against a conference rival. 24-16 UNDER after one or more consecutive overs.

UCLA Bruins:  A. Bailey (G) Ques Thurs - Foot. E. Manjikian (F) Out indefinitely - Arm.

USC Trojans:  None.

“Well it's our first first repeat this year. So whenever you're playing repeats, obviously both teams are going to dissect the tape. What worked, what didn't work, what adjustments, what their game plan was. They're looking at ours. So, you know, we're all doing that. Ultimately, though, these type of games come down to performance. They're going to be ready to play. They had a great win Saturday. It didn't surprise me they struggled at Arizona, didn't look like themselves. But as you guys know, I have great respect for coach Enfield. Andy does a great job. They righted the ship quickly, they looked great Saturday night. But in a game like, both teams are going to be ready. It just comes down to performance. So we're both going to make a lot of adjustments, I'm sure.” - Mick Cronin on his team’s upcoming game against USC here.

"The last four minutes was embarrassing, quite honestly. But the first 36 minutes, we played great basketball in a tough place to play against a very good team." - Andy Enfield after his team’s win against ASU in their last game.

A. Bailey 

A. Bona 

T. Campbell 

J. Clark 

J. Jaquez

B. Ellis 

K. Johnson 

J. Morgan 

D. Peterson 

T. White

PPG: J. Jaquez Jr. (16.1)

APG: T. Campbell (4.6)

Reb/G: J. Jaquez Jr. (7.2)

PPG: B. Ellis (15.6)

APG: D. Peterson (4.8)

Reb/G: D. Peterson (6.6)

Coaches:

UCLA Bruins: Mick Cronin (4th season)

USC Trojans: Andy Enfield (10th season)