UCLA Trying to Bounce Back After Loss to Arizona
The last time UCLA and rival Southern California met on Jan. 5, the game came right down to the final possession. With the Pac-12 leading Bruins coming off their first conference loss of the season, look for UCLA to try to take control of this matchup in the early going.
UCLA ranks in the top 10 nationally with just 10 turnovers per game and is also in the top 10 in scoring defense.
USC is 13th in blocked shots per game, so scoring inside against the Trojans can be challenging.
UCLA’s 5-1 road record is the best in the Pac-12. USC has struggled a bit on the road, but the Trojans are 9-1 at home this season. USC has won nine straight games at home.
Freshman guard Amari Bailey missed the last game due to a foot injury and is questionable. Fellow freshman Evan Manjikian hasn’t played since Dec. 10 because of an arm injury and is out for UCLA. But it looks like Bailey will be back.
Let’s check the latest college basketball news, stats, injury reports and college basketball lines for UCLA vs Southern California. We’ve got plenty of NCAA basketball picks for you to consider.
“Getting #AmariBailey incorporated back in our flow and getting comfortable out there is important for us.”@UCLAMBB Mick Cronin joins @FredNBCLA and @RodneyPeete9 here on @AM570LASports. pic.twitter.com/74hj9COA8w
— AM 570 LA Sports (@AM570LASports) January 25, 2023
USC is in better shape in the injury department, as the top scorers have appeared in all 20 games this season.
USC’s 7-foot-1 freshman Vincent Iwuchukwu didn’t make his season debut until Jan. 12. He is coming off season highs of 12 points and five rebounds the last time out. He did not play in the first game against UCLA.
UCLA dropped from fifth to seventh in the coaches poll and fell three spots to No. 8 in the Associated Press Top 25 poll.
According to the college basketball odds, UCLA (+1500) is tied for sixth in the odds to win the national title. Southern California is well back at +30000. UCLA (-425) is favored to win the Pac-12 title, with the Trojans tied for fourth at +2500.
Time To Get Physical
In the season’s first matchup against USC, the Bruins shot 11 more foul shots and had 10 more offensive rebounds than the Trojans, which were two key factors in the narrow loss.
The Trojans are -9 in the offensive rebounding department over the last four games. Some of that can be attributed to USC‘s strong defense creating more opportunities for their opponents to go after offensive rebounds. However, if the Trojans want to be a factor in the Pac-12 race and challenge either UCLA or Arizona, they will need to play a more physical style moving forward.
USC is one of four Pac-12 teams with a negative number in rebounding margin. The other three are a combined 8-20 in conference play. So, even if the Trojans have found ways to win despite the rebounding issues, it might be hard for that to continue.
USC has covered against the college basketball betting lines in four of its last five games.
Perfect No Longer
UCLA is still leading the way in the Pac-12 with a 1.5-game lead. However, things became a little more interesting when they fell to Arizona the last time out.
UCLA was +7 in rebounding margin, +10 in offensive rebounds and +6 in turnover margin and still lost by six.
One issue is that other than freshman Adem Bona, the other four starters went 14-for-53 from the field. The Bruins were just 4-of-20 from 3-point range and got just four points off the bench.
Every team has a rough outing or two and playing at Arizona is never easy.
UCLA leads the Pac-12 in scoring margin and is second in 3-point percentage, so this will be the perfect opportunity for the Bruins to get the offense going again. However, USC is second in the conference in field-goal percentage defense, so don’t expect the Trojans to make things easy.
UCLA has covered against the Las Vegas odds in seven of its last 10 games.
UCLA vs Southern California Game Injuries
UCLA vs Southern California Head-to-Head
UCLA has won the last three matchups against its city rival, including a 60-58 win at home on Jan. 5 as an 11-point favorite. A Jaylen Clark 3-pointer with 17 seconds left gave the Bruins the lead.
That was the fourth time in the last seven meetings that the game was decided by three points or less.
USC has won the last four times that UCLA came to the Galen Center.
Seven of the last eight games in the series finished under the total, while Southern California has covered in three of the last four.
UCLA vs Southern California Game Information
- Game: UCLA (17-3, 8-1 Pac-12) vs Southern California (14-6, 6-3)
- Location: Galen Center, Los Angeles, CA
- Day/Time: Thursday, Jan. 26, 9:00 p.m. ET
- UCLA vs Southern California Live Stream: TBS.com
UCLA vs Southern California Betting Lines
UCLA vs Southern California Picks & Prediction
When the teams met earlier this month, there were 23 free throws attempted compared to 42 3-pointers hoisted up. Don’t be surprised to see that ratio change with this having the potential to be a physical affair. The teams rank first and third in the Pac-12 in steals per game, so the team that takes better care of the ball will likely emerge with the victory.
Keep an eye on the status of Bailey, as he will add another scoring option if he is able to suit up for the Bruins.
UCLA has led by an average of more than 10 points at halftime in each of the last three meetings, so the Trojans will need to start on time to have a chance in this matchup.
UCLA has covered in four of its six road games, while USC is just 4-6 against the spread (ATS) at home.
The Bruins are 16-1 when listed by the sportsbook as the favorite, while USC is 3-5 as an underdog.
UCLA is listed at -195 in our Las Vegas college basketball lines. This means that if you wager $100 on the Bruins, you have a chance to win $51. Southern California is +165, offering a chance to win $165 on a $100 wager.
The implied probability attached to the betting lines gives UCLA a 66.10% chance to win, with Southern California at 37.74%.
UCLA vs Southern California Trends
UCLA vs Southern California Edge
UCLA vs Southern California Results
UCLA vs Southern California Game Summary
