Arizona vs. USC Prediction: Picks & Betting Odds – Thursday, March 2, 2023

March 2, 2023, by Andy Molitor College Basketball Predictions

The USC Trojans (21-8, 13-5 Pac-12) will look to extend a four-game winning streak when they host the No. 8 Arizona Wildcats (24-5, 13-5 Pac-12) on Thursday, March 2, 2023 at Galen Center as just 2-point underdogs. The contest airs at 11:00 PM ET on ESPN. The matchup’s over/under is 154.5.

Arizona vs. USC Odds

Arizona odds to win: -141
USC odds to win: +120
Spread: Arizona (-2)
Total: 154.5

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Game Time and Information

Date: Thursday, March 2, 2023
Time: 11:00 PM ET
TV: ESPN
Where: Los Angeles, California
Venue: Galen Center

Who Will Win Arizona vs. USC?

Arizona and USC Betting Trends, Records Against the Spread

Arizona is 12-15-1 against the spread when favored by 2 points or more this season.

USC is 5-2 against the spread when an underdog by 2 points or more this year.

These two teams average a combined 156 points per game, 1.5 more points than the total of 154.5 set for this game.

Opponents of the two teams average a combined 17.0 fewer points per game (137.5) than this game’s over/under of 154.5 points.

Arizona’s average point total in matchups this year is 154.6, 0.1 points higher than the over/under in this game.

The average over/under for Trojans games this season is 15.5 fewer points than the point total of 154.5 in this outing.

So far this season, the Wildcats have compiled a 13-15-1 record against the spread.

The Trojans are 17-12-0 ATS this season.

Arizona Stats & Insights

Arizona averages 83.3 points per game (sixth in college basketball) while allowing 71.2 per outing (218th in college basketball). It has a +351 scoring differential overall and outscores opponents by 12.1 points per game.

Arizona wins the rebound battle by an average of 6.5 boards. It is collecting 36.9 rebounds per game (sixth in college basketball) compared to its opponents’ 30.4 per contest.

The Wildcats knock down 8.6 three-pointers per game (56th in college basketball), while their opponents have made 8.0 on average.

Arizona’s 101.8 points per 100 possessions on offense rank 15th in college basketball, and the 87.0 points it allows per 100 possessions rank 67th in college basketball.

Offensively, the Wildcats have played better when playing at home this season, posting 85.2 points per game, compared to 76.4 per game in road games.

USC Stats & Insights

USC has a +185 scoring differential, topping opponents by 6.4 points per game. It is putting up 72.7 points per game, 157th in college basketball, and is giving up 66.3 per contest to rank 71st in college basketball.

USC grabs 31.9 rebounds per game (168th in college basketball), compared to the 31.9 of its opponents.

USC makes 6.3 three-pointers per game (296th in college basketball) compared to its opponents’ 7.3. It shoots 34.4% from deep, and its opponents shoot 32.9%.

USC ranks 174th in college basketball with 94.0 points scored per 100 possessions, and 51st defensively with 85.7 points conceded per 100 possessions.

At home the Trojans are scoring 76.4 points per game, 8.2 more than they are averaging away (68.2).

Arizona Key Players to Watch

The scoring and rebounding leader for the Wildcats is Azuolas Tubelis, who accumulates 19.6 points and 9.1 rebounds per game.

Kerr Kriisa leads Arizona in assists, averaging 5.5 per game while also scoring 10.6 points per contest.

The Wildcats get the most three-point shooting production out of Courtney Ramey, who knocks down 2.8 threes per game.

The Arizona steals leader is Ramey, who averages 1.2 takeaways per game, while its blocks leader is Oumar Ballo, who compiles 1.3 rejections per contest.

USC Key Players to Watch

Drew Peterson racks up 6.4 rebounds and 4.7 assists per game, placing him at the top of the Trojans’ rebound and assists leaderboards.

Boogie Ellis scores 17.2 points per game, putting him at the top of the USC scoring leaderboard. He also grabs 3.8 rebounds and averages 3.0 assists per game.

Ellis is dependable from deep and leads the Trojans with 2.4 made threes per game.

Kobe Johnson (2.2 steals per game) is the steal leader for USC while Joshua Morgan (2.3 blocks per game) is the block leader.