College Hoops: USC vs. UCLA Prediction, Odds & Picks (Thursday, Jan. 5)

Jaime Jaquez Jr. #24 of the UCLA Bruins controls the ball against the Akron Zips in the first round game of the 2022 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at Moda Center on March 17, 2022 in Portland, Oregon
Image Credit: Abbie Parr/Getty Images

USC is set to face UCLA on Thursday, Jan. 5. The game is scheduled for 9:30 pm ET while airing on ESPN. UCLA enters this game as 11.5-point favorites with the total set at 140.5. How will this one play out? Let’s dive into the USC vs. UCLA predictions below.

USC vs. UCLA Odds

  • Spread: UCLA -11.5
  • Total: 140.5

Odds via FanDuel Sportsbook. New to FanDuel? Check out our FanDuel Sportsbook Review to find out how to redeem a $1,000 risk-free bet!

Game Info

  • Date: Thursday, Jan. 5
  • Time: 9:30 pm ET
  • Location: Pauley Pavilion – Los Angeles, California
  • TV: ESPN

USC Betting Trends

  • KenPom Ranking: No. 67
  • Trojans are 5-1 ATS in their last 6 games vs. a team with a winning straight up record.
  • Trojans are 10-3 ATS in their last 13 road games vs. a team with a winning home record.
  • Trojans are 2-5 ATS in their last 7 Thursday games.

UCLA Betting Trends

  • KenPom Ranking: No. 3
  • Bruins are 4-0 ATS in their last 4 games vs. a team with a winning straight up record.
  • Under is 4-0 in Bruins last 4 overall.
  • Under is 4-0 in Bruins last 4 games following a ATS win.

USC vs. UCLA Predictions

You could argue that UCLA is one of the more complete teams in the nation, ranking seventh in adjusted offense and seventh in adjusted defense according to KenPom. The Bruins lost a pair of neutral site games to Illinois and Baylor in late November, and those are the only two blemishes on their record. In fact, UCLA comes into this game with a ton of confidence after routing Washington 74-49 on Sunday.

USC has been up and down in the young season. The Trojans got off to a tough start as they succumbed to a 74-61 upset vs. Florida Gulf Coast on opening night. Against quality teams, USC lost by seven to Tennessee and came up five points short against Wisconsin. The Trojans best win of the season came in a 74-71 home victory vs. Auburn, who is ranked 27th in KenPom’s standings. Most recently, USC lost by 10 on the road at Washington State on Sunday.

The Bruins are cruising right now, and UCLA has been an absolute buzzsaw at home in the young season. There’s a chance USC keeps this rivalry close in the first half, but UCLA should outlast then and pull away in the final 15-20 minutes.

The Pick: UCLA -11.5 | -110 at FanDuel Sportsbook