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USC vs. Arizona Prediction and Odds (The Wildcats Defense Should Keep the Trojans in Check)

By Matt De Saro

The USC Trojans have a lot of offensive talent but will be tested by the Arizona Wildcat's steller defense.
The USC Trojans have a lot of offensive talent but will be tested by the Arizona Wildcat's steller defense. / Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports
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The No. 19 USC Trojans head to the McKale Center tonight in Tucson to take on the No. 7 Arizona Wildcats in what should be one of the best games of the evening. The Wildcats are coming off a big win over No. 3 UCLA but will have a tough time going back-to-back wins over high-ranking opponents. While USC is outside of the top 10, they are still a dangerous team and the Wildcats will have their work cut out for them at home tonight. 

Arizona enters this pivotal Pac-12 game ranked first in the conference with an 8-1 mark in conference play but USC is nipping at their heels in second place at 9-3. 

Here are the odds for this Pac-12 showdown, courtesy of WynnBET Sportsbook.

USC vs. Arizona Odds, Spread, and Total

Spread:

  • USC +11 (-110)
  • Arizona -11 (-110)

Moneyline:

  • USC +475
  • Arizona -650

Total: 150.5. (Over -110/Under -110)

USC vs. Arizona Prediction and Pick

The spread for this game opened at 11 and has not moved an inch since. This is a little surprising and a steep line to take against a ranked team. Sure, Arizona is a great team, but USC is capable of making a game of this and covering this massive line. The key for the Wildcats will be in the backcourt where Boogie Ellis operates. The Trojans’  point guard is averaging 13 points per game to go along with 2.7 assists and 3.5 rebounds. While those aren’t player of the year numbers, Ellis has been on a hot streak lately and scoring well above his average. In his last two games, Ellis has scored a combined 42 points after putting up 21 against Arizona State and Cal.  

While that is all well and good, Ellis hasn’t played a defense that guards shooters as well as the Wildcats do. Arizona is the top-ranked team in the nation in terms of opponents' two-point shooting percentage and second in opponent overall shooting percentage. So good are they on defense that they are holding teams to under 40 percent from two and 36.9 percent overall. 

This does sway me from the spread a bit but I still don’t love either team in this game. What I do love is defense and good total play when an elite unit is on display. The Wildcats have such an elite unit of defenders and I’ll be siding with them tonight to keep the score, and pace, of this game low. 

Lean: USC v Arizona UNDER 150.5 (-110)

Follow all of Matt De Saro’s betting picks HERE

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