UC Irvine vs. USC Prediction and Odds: Don't Count Out the Anteaters

The USC Trojans are one of only seven teams left in all of college basketball that have yet to lose a game this season. They haven't exactly had the toughest schedule to take, but their 10-0 record was good enough for them to be ranked No. 10 in the latest AP Top 25 poll.

They can improve their record to 11-0 tonight when they take on an in-state opponent in the UC Irvine Anteaters. While you may think UC Irvine will be a walk in the park for USC, the Anteaters are projected to be the top team in the Big West conference and have been one of the best defensive teams in the country so far this season.

Let's take a look at the odds for tonight's action, courtesy of WynnBET.

UC Irvine vs. USC Odds, Spread, and Total

Spread:

• UC Irvine +11.5 (-110)
• USC -11.5 (-110)

Moneyline:

• UC Irvine +470
• USC -660

Total:

• 127 (Over -110/Under -110)

UC Irvine vs. USC Prediction and Pick

It's no secret that I'm a fan of the UC Irvine Anteaters, so I may be biased in my pick for this game, but I think they're in a great spot to cover tonight.

These two teams are night and day when it comes to shooting percentage. USC ranks 33rd in the country in effective field goal percentage at 54.8%, while UC Irvine ranks near the bottom of the list at 294th (45.4%).

Where the Anteaters thrive is on defense. They rank sixth in opponent effective field goal percentage (40.9%) and 28th in defensive efficiency,

Both teams keep the ball down low. UC Irvine ranks 15th in two-point shot percentage, USC ranks 36th. The Anteaters also rank 15th in opponent two-point shooting percentage, so they may be able to shut down the USC offense. For that reason, I think this spread is too many points in what should be a defensive battle.

Pick: UC Irvine +11.5