College Basketball Betting - Arizona Hosts USC
by BetUS Staff
Despite currently being in fourth place, the No. 19 USC Trojans (18-7).
The Wildcats enter this contest having won three in a row, including a 77-74 victory over the then No. 13 Oregon on Saturday as the slight dogs. However, the win may prove costly this evening, as the Wildcats are 1-4 ATS (against the spread) in their last five games following a SU (straight up) and cover win.
The Wildcats are 11-3 SU at home, with all three losses coming to ranked opponents. Home cookin' hasn't been profitable for Arizona spread bettors, as the Wildcats are just 2-6 ATS in their last eight home games.
The Trojans are third in the Pac-10, one half-game ahead of both Arizona and Oregon, with title hopes of their own. USC has had four consecutive paydays and they are 4-0 ATS in their last four vs. Pacific-10 opponents.
The Wildcats have won 14 of the last 19 matchups with USC. But, before investing on Arizona, keep in mind: the Trojans are 5-1 ATS in the last six meetings. Arizona has won 21 straight over the Trojans at the McKale Center and is 27-8 all-time at home against USC.
The Trojans had their three-game winning streak snapped with a 70-65 loss to then-No. 2 UCLA on Feb. 7, but they took the cash as a double-digit dog. USC shot 53.8 percent and led for most of the game until the Bruins took over in the final five minutes.
USC has been able to bounce back with a paycheck after losing. The Trojans are 6-0 ATS in their last six games following a SU loss.
The Trojans are 5-3 SU against ranked opponents this season. A victory tonight and USC will have its most wins over Top-25 teams since beating six during the 2001-02 season.
USC has had success on the road this year. That doesn't bode well for Arizona supporters, as the Wildcats are a dismal 0-8 ATS in their last eight home games vs. a team with a winning road record, which puts a smile on the faces of USC backers. As well, the Trojans are 6-1 ATS in their last seven road games.
Arizona is the seven-point chalk in this one and they are 2-6 ATS overall in their last eight games as a favorite. At the McKale Center, the Wildcats are 2-5 ATS in their last seven games as a home favorite. The Trojans have covered in their last seven games as an underdog.
If Arizona is to improve on their ATS marks against USC they'll need their 2-3 zone defense to continue playing good ball. The scheme has been successful in the last three games. The Wildcats held the Pac-10’s second-best offense, Washington, to a mere 54 points last week.
The stellar defense has been fattening the wallets of under players as of late. Arizona has combined to play under the total in seven of nine games, including three straight. The Wildcats have been allowing nine fewer points than their regular season average of 73.7 during this span.
Go to the action!
