UCLA at USC Expert NCAA Basketball Picks Against the Spread 1/19/2019

Saturday, January 19, 2019

Galen Center

Get todays College basketball odds and lines on this game.

The UCLA Bruins travel to Galen Center to play the USC Trojans on Saturday, January 19, 2019. The opening line for this matchup has USC as 2.5 point favorites.

UCLA comes into this game with an overall record of 10-7. They currently have a point differential of 3.8 as they are averaging 78.6 points per game while giving up 74.8 per contest. USC has an overall record of 9-8. They are averaging 77.9 points per game and surrendering 73.9, good for a point differential of 4.0.

Valuable UCLA Bruins Betting Trends

The UCLA Bruins are 7-10-0 against the spread

The UCLA Bruins are 8-9-0 against the over/under

Important USC Trojans Betting Trends

The USC Trojans are 7-10-0 against the spread

The USC Trojans are 9-8-0 against the over/under

Key UCLA Bruins Injuries

11/05/18 F Shareef O'Neal Heart is out for season
11/05/18 G Tyger Campbell ACL is out for season

Key USC Trojans Injuries

12/18/18 G Charles O'Bannon, Jr. Finger is out indefinitely
01/13/19 G Kevin Porter Jr Suspension is out indefinitely
01/06/19 G Jordan Usher Transferred has left team

Player Spotlight

Kris Wilkes comes into this contest averaging 17.3 points per game while playing 30.5 minutes per night this season. He pulls down 4.6 rebounds per game and dishes out 1.6 assists per game as well. His field goal percentage is 48% while his free throw percentage currently sits at 64%. Moses Brown averages 11.9 points per game in 23.7 minutes per contest this season. He averages 0.4 assists per contest and 9.0 rebounds per game. His field goal percentage is 68% for the year while his free throw percentage is 37%.

Player Spotlight

Bennie Boatwright averages 17.1 points per game while playing 32.1 minutes per contest this year. He grabs 6.3 rebounds per game and has 2.3 assists per contest on the year. His field goal percentage is 48% and his free throw percentage is at 76%. Nick Rakocevic averages 14.9 points per game this season and he sees the court an average of 30.8 minutes per contest. He also averages 9.5 rebounds per contest and 1.1 assists per game. His field goal percentage is 52% and his free throw percentage is 69%.

Useful Team Statistics

UCLA averages 78.6 points per contest this season, which ranks them 69th in the NCAA. Their average scoring margin is 3.8 and their shooting percentage is 46% as a team, which has them ranked 121st. Behind the arc they shoot 34% which is good for 216th in the nation. They average 43.1 rebounds per game and 14.8 assists per game, which ranks them 5th and 98th in those offensive categories. In the turnover department they rank 79th with 14.6 per game. The Bruins allow 74.8 points per game to their opponents which ranks them 258th in the country. They also allow a 40% shooting percentage and a 32% average from behind the arc, ranking them 45th and 104th in those defensive categories. Opponents average 36.9 rebounds a game which ranks 262nd and they give up 15.8 assists per contest, which puts them in 326th place in Division 1. They force 11.1 turnovers per game which ranks them 25th in D-1.

Useful Team Statistics

USC is 86th in the country with 77.9 points per game this year. They are 117th in Division 1 in shooting at 46%, while their average scoring margin is 4.0. They shoot 36% from 3-point range, which is good for 97th in the nation. They are 140th in the NCAA in rebounding with 36.5 boards per game, and 44th in assists per contest with 16.0. The Trojans are 286th in turnovers per game with 12.0. The Trojans surrender 73.9 points per contest, which ranks them 240th in D-1. Their defense allows a 43% shooting percentage and a 35% average from 3-point range, ranking them 148th and 243rd in those defensive statistics. They rank 280th with 14.8 assists allowed per contest and 277th with 37.2 rebounds surrendered per game. The Trojans are 182nd in country in forcing turnovers with 13.8 per game.

Advanced Statistics

The Bruins have an offensive rating of 104.8, which is ranked 164th. They are 36th in college basketball in pace with 74.5 possessions per 40 minutes, and their eFG% of 52% is 162nd. As a unit they are 205th in the nation in true shooting percentage with 54% and they shoot 3-pointers on 36% of their shot attempts, ranking 235th in D-1. UCLA is 142nd in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 16.7 times per 100 possessions.

Advanced Statistics

USC is 315th in college basketball in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 14.3 times per 100 possessions. The Trojans are 146th in the country in offensive rating with 105.5. In terms of pace they are 92nd in Division 1 with 72.2 possessions per 40 minutes, and their effective field goal percentage of 52% is 161st. As a team they are 187th in D-1 in true shooting percentage with 54% and they shoot 3-pointers on 33% of their shots, ranking 312th in the nation.

Who will win tonight's UCLA/USC college basketball game against the spread?

Tony's Pick: Take USC -2.5

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