USC at UCLA NCAA Basketball Point Spread Picks 2/28/2019

Thursday, February 28, 2019

Pauley Pavilion

Get todays College basketball odds and lines on this game.

The USC Trojans travel to Pauley Pavilion to play the UCLA Bruins on Thursday, February 28, 2019. The opening line for this matchup has UCLA as 3 point favorites.

USC heads into this matchup with a mark of 15-13. They currently have a point differential of 4.4 as they are averaging 76.3 points per contest while giving up 71.9 per game. UCLA has an overall mark of 15-13. They are averaging 78.1 points per contest and giving up 76.4, which is a point differential of 1.7.

Valuable USC Trojans Betting Trends

The USC Trojans are 12-14-0 against the spread

The USC Trojans are 12-14-0 against the over/under

Important UCLA Bruins Betting Trends

The UCLA Bruins are 10-16-0 against the spread

The UCLA Bruins are 12-14-0 against the over/under

Key USC Trojans Injuries

12/18/18 G Charles O'Bannon, Jr. Finger is out for season
01/06/19 G Jordan Usher Transferred has left team

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
02/27/19 G Prince Ali Foot is questionable Thursday vs USC

Player Spotlight

Nick Rakocevic averages 15.1 points per game in 30.0 minutes per contest. He averages 1.3 assists per contest and 9.4 rebounds per game. His field goal percentage is 56% for the year while his free throw percentage is 69%. Bennie Boatwright comes into this contest averaging 18.3 points per game while playing 33.2 minutes per night. He pulls down 6.3 rebounds per game and dishes out 2.3 assists per game as well. His field goal percentage is 44% while his free throw percentage is at 72%.

Player Spotlight

Jaylen Hands averages 13.5 points per game and he sees the court an average of 30.8 minutes per contest. He also averages 3.5 rebounds per contest and 6.4 assists per game. His field goal percentage is 41% and his free throw percentage is 76%. Kris Wilkes averages 17.1 points per game while playing 31.2 minutes per contest. He grabs 4.8 rebounds per game and has 1.6 assists per contest on the year. His field goal percentage is 44% and his free throw percentage is at 66%.

Useful Team Statistics

The Trojans allow 71.9 points per game to their opponents which ranks them 194th in Division 1. They also allow a 42% shooting percentage and a 33% average from behind the arc, ranking them 74th and 106th in those defensive categories. Opponents average 37.5 rebounds a game which ranks 301st, and they give up 13.9 assists per contest which puts them in 249th place in the NCAA. They force 13.4 turnovers per game which ranks them 189th in the nation. USC averages 76.3 points per contest this season, which ranks them 87th in the country. Their average scoring margin is 4.4 and their shooting percentage is 46% as a team, which has them ranked 87th. Behind the arc they shoot 38% which is good for 25th in D-1. They average 36.5 rebounds per game and 16.4 assists per contest, which ranks them 125th and 19th in those offensive categories. In the turnover department they rank 258th with 12.2 per game.

Useful Team Statistics

The Bruins surrender 76.4 points per contest, which ranks them 288th in the NCAA. Their defense allows a 42% shooting percentage and a 34% average from 3-point range, ranking them 90th and 170th in those defensive statistics. They rank 344th with 16.8 assists allowed per contest, and 240th with 35.9 rebounds surrendered per game. The Bruins are 60th in Division 1 in forcing turnovers with 11.8 per game. UCLA is 55th in the country with 78.1 points per game this year. They are 88th in the D-1 in shooting at 46%, while their average scoring margin is 1.7. They shoot 35% from 3-point range, which is good for 136th in the nation. They are 9th in the country in rebounding with 41.1 boards per game and 71st in assists per contest with 14.9. The Bruins are 59th in turnovers per game with 14.6.

Advanced Statistics

The Trojans have an offensive rating of 105.4, which is ranked 141st. They are 89th in college basketball in pace with 71.4 possessions per 40 minutes, and their eFG% of 53% is 102nd. As a unit they are 155th in the nation in true shooting percentage with 55% and they shoot 3-pointers on 35% of their shot attempts, ranking 268th in D-1. USC is 280th in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 14.9 times per 100 possessions.

Advanced Statistics

UCLA is 120th in college basketball in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 16.9 times per 100 possessions. The Bruins are 151st in the country in offensive rating with 105. In terms of pace they are 32nd in Division 1 with 73.7 possessions per 40 minutes, and their effective field goal percentage of 52% is 120th. As a team they are 165th in D-1 in true shooting percentage with 55% and they shoot 3-pointers on 36% of their shots, ranking 243rd in the nation.

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

Guy's Pick: Take UCLA -3

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