Arizona Wildcats vs. USC Trojans: Prediction, Preview, Picks & Odds - 3/2/2023

Time: 11 p.m. ET

Venue: Galen Center, Los Angeles, cA

Where to watch: ESPN

DraftKings: Arizona -2.5

FanDuel: Arizona -2.5

BetMGM: Arizona -2.5

Caesars: Arizona -2.5

No. 8 Arizona: 24-5 (13-5 Pac-12)

USC: 21-8 (13-5 Pac-12)

March is here, which means so is the madness. Conference races in full and complete topsy turvy mode the top 25 completely in shambles for what seems like every week, and there's bound to be an upset what seems like every single week. But as the season continues to progress with what seems like exciting action every week, you know our champion handicappers continue to put the work in each and every week to not only make money for them, but to ensure you get money in your pocket. All you need to do is look at the last 30 days. Scott Rickenbach has reeled in a net profit of $14,000 with a 24-9-0 run on the college hardwood. Team Del Genio has killed it with a 13-1-0 run at +$11,900. Will Rogers (28-15-0) and Matt Fargo (40-27-0) have also seen five figures over the last 30 days with college basketball. Surely, you want to get on this winning as well. All you need to do is go to bigal.com, check out our Best Bets page and make sure you are following along on the action. March will be here before you know it! Take advantage of our best plays and find out what our champion handicappers are doing at bigal.com!

I would argue it’s only more fun to lose on a half-court heave is only cool if it happens to you as the road team. If it happens as the home team, you’re just going to be living in despair for the rest of time. Suddenly, that’s the case for the Arizona Wildcats and now they are in a must-win situation on Thursday against the USC Trojans.

 

It’s hard to call it a must-win situation for two teams that are fighting for second place in the Pac-12, but having the No. 2 seed could be a lot better than No. 3. No one is catching the UCLA Bruins, who have to the minds of most, have been forgotten in their run to the outright regular season conference title. But you’d have to wonder how things would’ve played out if Arizona didn’t get its hearts broken.

 

Desmond Cambridge’s 60-foot heave gave Arizona State an 89-88 win over the Wildcats, who are now No. 8 in the nation after their second loss in four games. You’re not going to find many in-state, entertaining games like that with two 20-win teams. Cedric Henderson led the way with 19 points, and Azuolas Tubelis had 17 points off the bench.

 

“We were sitting on pocket aces and it happens sometimes,” Arizona coach Tommy Lloyd said.

 

The Wildcats have failed to cover in three of the last four after covering in four straight. They’re a team that you should be able to trust in this situation. If you look at the last eight games, the Wildcats have been favored by at least 7.5 or more. They’ve been favored by at least 12 points in the last three games. Clearly, there’s a kryptonite there. At least they’re laying 2 points in this one, but it’s still a tough test ahead of them.

 

USC has won four straight, all against winnable opponents, and is coming off a 62-49 win at Utah last week. The Trojans had one of their better defensive efforts all season by holding the Utes to 31.7 percent despite getting outrebounded 42-36. Boogie Ellis led the way with 16 points. Drew Peterson and Kobe Johnson combined for 27 points. You do the math, that’s 43 points among those three out of 62.

 

USC gets Arizona on Thursday, followed by Arizona State on Saturday, both games at home. So to say that there’s still important basketball to play for USC, especially as a resume padder, would be an understatement.

 

In addition to winning outright, USC has covered in four straight after going 0-3 ATS in the previous three. This is a team that has been trying to find an identity all year long, and we’re not really sure what kind of team they can be against good competition. They took down UCLA about a month ago. Try and do it again this week and finish strong.

 

The road team has covered in four of the last five meetings, but the underdog has dominated in six of the last eight against the spread. This seems like a trap game with USC at home. USC 80, Arizona 78

Arizona is 13-14 ATS as a favorite this season.

Arizona is 25-22 ATS off an over the last 3 seasons.

USC is 34-28 ATS against conference opponents the last 3 seasons.

PG: Kerr Kriisa

SG: Courtney Ramey

SF: Cedric Henderson Jr.

PF: Azuolas Tubelis

C: Oumar Ballo

PG: Boogie Ellis

SG: Kobe Johnson

SF: Reese Dixon-Waters

PF: Tre White

C: Drew Peterson