USC Trojans vs Minnesota Golden Gophers Prediction, Picks and Game Preview - 01/09/2026

Game Time: 8:30 pm ET, Friday, January 9, 2026

Venue:  Williams Arena, Minneapolis, MN

Where to Watch:  Big Ten Network

DraftKings:  Point Spread:  USC +2.5, Minnesota -2.5; Over/Under:  145.5 points

Bet365:  Point Spread:  USC +2.5, Minnesota -2.5; Over/Under:  145.5 points

BetMGM:  Point Spread:  USC +2.5, Minnesota -2.5; Over/Under:  145.5 points

USC Trojans:  12-3 (1-3) (13th place, Big Ten)

Minnesota Golden Gophers:  10-5 (3-1) (4th place, Big Ten)

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USC Trojans:  3-2  last 5

Minnesota Golden Gophers:  5-0  last 5

USC is entering this game with a 12-3 record overall, a 1-3 record in conference games, and they are 2-2 in their road games this season where they will be in this game. They are coming off a loss against the Michigan State Spartans in their last game. Ezra Ausar led the team in points in that game with 16 while Jerry Easter was next on the team with 12. Kam Woods led the team in assists with 3 in that game while Ezra Ausar led the team in rebounds with 7. They were 32.7% from the field, 17.6% from 3-point range, and 75% from the free throw line with their shooting in that game. Their offense is averaging 85.3 PPG and their defense is allowing their opponents to average 77 PPG against them. USC has an ATS record of 6-8 this season and their O/U record is 8-6.

Minnesota is entering this game with a 10-5 record overall, a 3-1 conference record, and they are 9-0 in their home games this season where they will be in this game. They are coming off a win against the Iowa Hawkeyes in their last game. Langston Reynolds led the team in points in that game with 22 while Cade Tyson was next on the team with 16. Jaylen Crocker-Johnson and Langston Reynolds each led the team in assists with 4 in that game while Jaylen Crocker-Johnson led the team in rebounds with 6. They were 46.8% from the field, 25% from 3-point range, and 75% from the free throw line with their shooting in that game. Their offense is averaging 73.3 PPG and their defense is allowing their opponents to average 65.8 PPG against them. Minnesota has an ATS record of 7-8 this season and their O/U record is 5-10.

The current betting odds have Minnesota listed as a 2.5 point favorite in this game according to Draftkings Sportsbook. Minnesota has looked good in their games this season with their 10-5 record overall and their 3-1 conference record which has them right near the top of the Big Ten. They have looked great on their home court too with their 9-0 home record this year. Meanwhile, USC has looked good in their games this season with their 12-3 record overall, but their 1-3 conference record has them right near the bottom of the Big Ten. They haven't been a great road team either with their 2-2 road record this season. USC had a really hot start to the season and were even ranked inside the top 25 at one point, but they have fallen apart in conference play early on. They have lost 2 games in a row now with both of those being blow out losses against 2 of the best teams in the conference, but they weren't even competitive in those games and that is an issue. They also have a home loss to Washington this season so they aren't feeling great about themselves with another road game against a tough opponent. Minnesota didn't have a great start to their season, but they have been rolling in conference play. They have looked a lot better lately and have a ton of momentum on their side with 5 wins in a row now. Their only conference loss was against Purdue who is one of the best teams in the nation, and that was a game where they weren't that competitive, but they are off a home win over a ranked Iowa team in their last one and they have looked like the better team lately coming into this one. The best way to place a bet here is on Minnesota to cover the spread in this game. 

USC Minnesota Prediction:  Our NCAAB Pick for Friday, January 9, 2026 (8:30 pm ET start time) is Minnesota 78 USC 72.

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USC Trojans: 13-23 ATS as an underdog. 8-18 ATS when the total is 140 to 149.5. 11-20 ATS when playing against a good team (Win Pct. 60% to 80%). 14-1 OVER when the line is +3 to -3. 8-0 OVER in a road game where the total is 140 to 149.5. 

Minnesota Golden Gophers: 9-5 ATS off an upset win over a conference rival as an underdog. 7-2 ATS after 3 or more consecutive wins. 27-20 ATS in all home games. 9-5 OVER at home when playing against a good team (Win Pct. 60% to 80%). 7-3 OVER at home versus good passing teams, averaging 16 assists/game or more.

USC Trojans:  A. Dickerson (G-F) Out - Hip. R. Rice (G) Out - Shoulder. A. Arenas (G) Out - Knee.

Minnesota Golden Gophers:  M. Lorenson (G) Out - Redshirt. C. Willis (G) Out - Foot. R. Vaihola (F) Out - Undisclosed. B. Omot (F) Questionable - Leg. C. Stephens (G) Questionable - Illness.

"We got our butts kicked two games in a row by two teams who are far superior. You know the injuries. It's quite obvious now that without the three guys, we are severely undermanned. Turnovers, inability to play in front of sellouts. Give Michigan State credit, they played better than us, and without Rodney's 20 points and without Omarion's defense and without Elijah, it's too much for us in the Big Ten." - Eric Musselman after his team’s loss against Michigan State in their last game. 

"We sure gave our fans their money's worth here tonight down the stretch but what a gritty performance by our guys. They were really ready to go tonight.  I thought they played really physical. They played tenacious. They shared the ball well. They did all the things you have to do to beat an excellent team like Iowa. To win the turnover battle against these guys is hard to do. They're one of the best in our league at forcing turnovers and not turning the ball over.” - Niko Medved after his team’s win against Iowa in their last game. 

E. Ausar 

C. Baker-Mazara 

J. Cofie 

R. Rice 

T. Williams

I. Asuma 

J. Crocker-Johnson 

B. Durkin 

L. Reynolds 

C. Tyson

PPG: Rodney Rice (20.3)

APG: Rodney Rice (6)

Reb/G: Jacob Cofie (6.5)

PPG: Cade Tyson (21.7)

APG: Isaac Asuma (4.1)

Reb/G: Robert Vaihola (7.6)

Coaches:

USC Trojans: Eric Musselman (2nd season)

Minnesota Golden Gophers: Niko Medved (1st season)