New York Yankees
Baltimore Orioles
Tampa Bay Rays
San Diego Padres
Arizona at USC Game Preview, Odds, Picks & Predictions
Top Two Teams in Pac-12 Conference Brace for Showdown
Arizona Can Clinch Pac-12 Title
The Arizona Wildcats had gone more than a month without a loss since since falling to UCLA on Jan. 25 to UCLA. They ran into a very unexpected roadblock on Saturday night in Boulder, Colo.
The Wildcats were buffaloed by the Colorado Buffaloes in a 79-63 blowout that no one anticipated. Arizona led by five at halftime but was outscored by 21 points in the second half.
No. 2 Arizona has to pick itself off the canvas against USC, the Pac-12’s second-place team. The Wildcats are expected to be a huge factor in the March Madness odds but a loss here would hurt those prospects.
Arizona Chasing No. 1 seed
This is an important point shaping Tuesday night’s game for those who bet online, which is a rescheduled game from Jan. 2.
Arizona, despite the loss to Colorado, is still in line to be a No. 1 seed for the NCAA Tournament, but that setback weakened its position.
Other top teams that lost on Saturday, such as Auburn and Kentucky, fell to ranked opponents on the road. Colorado is unranked.
Many people think this was just a bad night and a blip on the radar screen. That might be true, but the Wildcats have to go out and prove that.
Another loss in the Pac-12 would downgrade Arizona’s seed and put that top spot in jeopardy. The Wildcats do not want to fall to a No. 2 seed and land in the West Region with No. 1-ranked Gonzaga.
This is a very important game for the Wildcats, beyond clinching the Pac-12 championship.
USC Eyes National Respect
As good as USC has been this season, the Trojans do not yet have a win over a top-10 team. UCLA is almost in the top 10, but not quite.
Beating Arizona would improve the profile of a team that has won a lot of games, but against a soft schedule. The best part of USC is that it is 9-1 in games decided by five points or fewer.
USC won by two points on Feb. 20 against Washington State. The Trojans then won in double overtime against Oregon State on Feb. 24, and by one point at Oregon on Feb. 26.
USC would love to have this game come down to the final minute. The Trojans thrive in such situations. They aren’t an overwhelming team, but they are resourceful.
Arizona vs USC Head-to-Head
USC led 59-54 near the six-minute mark of regulation, but Arizona went on a big run and owned those final six minutes to win on Feb. 5 in Tucson.
Notably for those looking at the odds in the sportsbook, this is USC’s only loss since Jan. 27. The Trojans have revenge on their minds, but Arizona has shown it is a tough team to defeat, losing only three games.
Arizona vs USC Game Information
- Game: Arizona Wildcats (25-3) at USC Trojans (25-4)
- Location: Galen Center – Los Angeles, CA
- Day/Time: Tuesday, 11 p.m. ET
- Television: ESPN
Arizona vs USC Betting Lines
Arizona vs USC Prediction
Arizona, coming off a loss, figures to be focused and ready to play well. If Arizona plays well, USC is highly unlikely to beat the Wildcats. Take Arizona with your college basketball picks.
