UCLA vs USC Predictions, College Basketball Picks Against The Spread 3/7/2020

Game: UCLA Bruins vs USC Trojans

Date: Saturday, March 7, 2020

Location: Galen Center in Los Angeles, CA

TV: CBS

Odds/Point Spread: USC -3.5

Total/Over-Under: 133.5

The UCLA Bruins travel to Galen Center to play the USC Trojans on Saturday, March 7, 2020. The opening line for this matchup has USC as 3.5 point favorites.

UCLA comes into this game with an overall record of 19-11. They currently have a point differential of 2.5 as they are averaging 70.0 points per game while giving up 67.5 per contest. USC has an overall mark of 21-9. They are averaging 70.8 points per contest and giving up 66.5, which is a point differential of 4.4.

Valuable UCLA Bruins Betting Trends

The UCLA Bruins are 16-13-1 against the spread

The UCLA Bruins are 13-14-3 against the over/under

Important USC Trojans Betting Trends

The USC Trojans are 19-11-0 against the spread

The USC Trojans are 9-20-1 against the over/under

Key UCLA Bruins Injuries

11/22/19 F Kenneth Nwuba Redshirt is out for season
01/22/20 F Shareef O'Neal Left Team is out for season

Key USC Trojans Injuries

12/16/19 G Charles O'Bannon Jr. Personal has left the program
02/29/20 G Kyle Sturdivant Personal is questionable

Player Spotlight

Jalen Hill averages 9.2 points per game in 24.1 minutes per contest. He averages 1.2 assists per contest and 6.9 rebounds per game. His field goal percentage is 53% for the year while his free throw percentage is 73%. Chris Smith comes into this contest averaging 13.1 points per game while playing 28.1 minutes per night. He pulls down 5.3 rebounds per game and dishes out 1.6 assists per game as well. His field goal percentage is 61% while his free throw percentage is at 84%.

Player Spotlight

Jonah Mathews averages 13.2 points per game and he sees the court an average of 32.0 minutes per contest. He also averages 2.4 rebounds per contest and 1.9 assists per game. His field goal percentage is 39% and his free throw percentage is 76%. Onyeka Okongwu averages 16.2 points per game while playing 30.5 minutes per contest. He grabs 8.7 rebounds per game and has 1.1 assists per contest on the year. His field goal percentage is 61% and his free throw percentage is at 73%.

Useful Team Statistics

The Bruins allow 67.5 points per game to their opponents which ranks them 124th in Division 1. They also allow a 43% shooting percentage and a 37% average from behind the arc, ranking them 180th and 336th in those defensive categories. Opponents average 30.9 rebounds a game which ranks 21st, and they give up 10.8 assists per contest which puts them in 48th place in the NCAA. They force 13.1 turnovers per game which ranks them 158th in the nation. UCLA averages 70.0 points per contest this season, which ranks them 211th in the country. Their average scoring margin is 2.5 and their shooting percentage is 44% as a team, which has them ranked 184th. Behind the arc they shoot 32% which is good for 229th in D-1. They average 36.8 rebounds per game and 13.1 assists per contest, which ranks them 106th and 178th in those offensive categories. In the turnover department they rank 163rd with 13.2 per game.

Useful Team Statistics

The Trojans surrender 66.5 points per contest, which ranks them 97th in the NCAA. Their defense allows a 39% shooting percentage and a 31% average from 3-point range, ranking them 11th and 85th in those defensive statistics. They rank 132nd with 12.0 assists allowed per contest, and 188th with 35.2 rebounds surrendered per game. The Trojans are 140th in Division 1 in forcing turnovers with 12.9 per game. USC is 190th in the country with 70.8 points per game this year. They are 164th in the D-1 in shooting at 44%, while their average scoring margin is 4.4. They shoot 35% from 3-point range, which is good for 96th in the nation. They are 40th in the country in rebounding with 38.7 boards per game and 113th in assists per contest with 13.9. The Trojans are 53rd in turnovers per game with 14.6.

Advanced Statistics

The Bruins have an offensive rating of 104.2, which is ranked 118th. They are 299th in college basketball in pace with 66.7 possessions per 40 minutes, and their eFG% of 49% is 220th. As a unit they are 190th in the nation in true shooting percentage with 53% and they shoot 3-pointers on 33% of their shot attempts, ranking 274th in D-1. UCLA is 159th in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 16.7 times per 100 possessions.

Advanced Statistics

USC is 73rd in college basketball in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 17.8 times per 100 possessions. The Trojans are 223rd in the country in offensive rating with 99.5. In terms of pace they are 123rd in Division 1 with 70.3 possessions per 40 minutes, and their effective field goal percentage of 50% is 199th. As a team they are 217th in D-1 in true shooting percentage with 53% and they shoot 3-pointers on 32% of their shots, ranking 294th in the nation.

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

Josh's Pick: Take USC -3.5

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