Arizona Wildcats vs USC Trojans Prediction, 3/2/2023 College Basketball Picks, Best Bets & Odds

Game: Arizona Wildcats vs USC Trojans

Date: Thursday, March 2, 2023

Location: Galen Center in Los Angeles, CA

TV: ESPN+

Galen Center is where the USC Trojans (21-8) will play the Arizona Wildcats (24-5) on Thursday.

The Arizona Wildcats faced off with Arizona State and took a loss by a final of 89-88 in their last contest. Arizona wrapped up the game having earned a 50.9% field goal percentage (27 of 53) and made 11 of their 26 3-point shots. From the free throw line, the Wildcats made 23 of 34 attempts for a rate of 67.6%. In reference to rebounding, they compiled a total of 32 with 6 of them being on the offensive end. They also doled out 16 assists in this contest as well as forcing 11 turnovers and having 6 steals. In terms of the defense, Arizona allowed 53.7% from the field on 36 of 67 shooting. Arizona State totaled 23 assists and had 9 steals in this contest. In addition, Arizona State collected 27 boards (5 offensive, 22 defensive), but didn't notch a rejection. Arizona State went 60.0% from the charity stripe by burying 6 of their 10 tries. They also made 11 of 28 tries from beyond the arc. With respect to fouls, the Wildcats ended up walking away with 15 and Arizona State recorded 23 fouls.

Cedric Henderson is a player who was a major factor for the game. He finished 54.5% from the floor and also dished out 1 assist. He was on the court for 34 minutes played and also totaled 1 rebound. He left the arena with 19 points on 6 of 11 shooting.

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Arizona heads into this one with a record of 24-5 on the campaign. They turn it over 13.4 times per game and as a basketball team are committing 16.9 fouls per game. As a unit, Arizona is pulling in 40.2 rebounds per contest and is sitting with 566 assists this year, which is 2nd in D-1 in terms of passing. The Wildcats are shooting 37.4% on 3-point shots (250 of 669) and 71.9% from the charity stripe. They are averaging 83.3 pts per contest (6th in D-1) while hitting 49.2% from the floor.

On the defensive end, the Wildcats are forcing their opponents into 12.5 turnovers every game and they draw 19.6 personal fouls. They are surrendering 32.8% on three-point shots and they rank 218th in college basketball in PPG allowed (71.2). The Wildcats defense is allowing a FG percentage of 41.0% (754 of 1,839) and they concede 33.1 boards per game as a squad. They currently rank 161st in D-1 in allowing assists to the opposition with 370 conceded on the campaign.

The last time they took the court, the USC Trojans got the victory with a final of 62-49 when they faced Utah. The Trojans recorded 28 defensive rebounds and 4 offensive boards for a total of 32 in this game. They turned the ball over 9 times, while getting 3 steals in the game. Utah committed 13 personal fouls in the matchup which got the Trojans to the free throw line for 14 shots. They were able to convert 9 of them for a rate of 64.3%. In relation to three-point shots, USC buried 11 out of 23 attempts (47.8%). Overall, the Trojans ended up shooting 21 out of 50 from the floor which had them sitting at 42.0%. The Trojans allowed Utah to convert 20 of their 63 attempts from the field which left them with a rate of 31.7% for this contest. They finished 22.7% from distance by shooting 5 of 22 and ended up shooting 4 out of 11 from the free throw line (36.4%). When discussing attacking the glass, USC permitted Utah to pull down 32 in all (9 offensive).

Boogie Ellis ended up being a factor for the Trojans for this game. He accumulated 16 points in his 36 minutes on the hardwood and accounted for 3 dimes for the game. He made 6 of 12 in the game giving him a rate of 50.0%, and accumulated 4 rebounds.

USC has a win-loss record of 21-8 on the year. The Trojans have committed 16.8 fouls per contest and they shoot 74.1% from the free throw line. They are assisting teammates 13.8 times per contest (139th in the nation) and they lose possession by turning the ball over 12.3 times per game. USC has scored 2,108 pts this year (72.7 per game) and they pull in 35.1 boards per contest. On the offensive side of the court, the Trojans are hitting on 46.1% from the floor, which has them ranked 88th in college basketball.

The Trojans on defense are ranked 73rd in Division 1 in PPG surrendered with 66.3. They are able to force 12.7 TO's per game and have allowed teams to shoot 38.9% from the field (8th in the nation). The USC defense concedes 32.9% on shots from beyond the arc (211 of 641) and their opponents are making 72.6% of their free throw shots. They relinquish 13.0 assists and 35.8 rebounds per contest, which has them ranked 208th and 291st in D-1.

Who will win tonight's NCAA basketball game against the spread?

Tony Sink's Pick: Take Arizona

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