NCAAB: USC vs. Washington State Predictions – Thursday, Feb. 29

Dec 2, 2023; Las Vegas, Nevada, USA; Southern California Trojans guard Boogie Ellis (5), forward Arrinten Page (22), forward Harrison Hornery (30) and guard Oziyah Sellers (4) react during the Legends of Basketball Las Vegas Invitational against the Gonzaga Bulldogs at MGM Grand Garden Arena.
Image Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

We have your USC Trojans vs. Washington State Cougars prop betting and game preview needs covered as the USC Trojans hit the road to face the Washington State Cougars.

The USC Trojans (11-16) are set to face off against the Washington State Cougars (21-7) in a Pac-12 showdown. With the Trojans looking to improve their conference record and the Cougars aiming to solidify their strong season performance, this matchup is poised to be a battle of wills on the court.

USC Trojans vs. Washington State Cougars Odds Info

Moneyline: USC Trojans +245 (BetPARX) / Washington State Cougars -295 (FanDuel)

Spread: -7.0 – USC Trojans -113 (BetPARX) / Washington State Cougars -108 (BetPARX)

Total: 138.0 – -108 (BetPARX) / -110 (Bet365)

Game Info

Date: Thursday, Feb. 29

Time: 10:30 PM

Location: Beasley Coliseum – Pullman, WA

TV: Pac-12 Network

USC Trojans Betting Trends

  • On the road, USC Trojans are 2 and 8 this season.
  • Against the spread this season, USC Trojans are 12 and 15.
  • Against the spread on the road, USC Trojans are 5 and 6.

Washington State Cougars Betting Trends

  • At home, Washington State Cougars are 13 and 1 this season.
  • Against the spread this season, Washington State Cougars are 15 and 12.
  • Against the spread at home, Washington State Cougars are 9 and 7.

USC Trojans vs. Washington State Cougars Predictions

The USC Trojans are entering the game with a sense of urgency, having won only 5 of their 16 conference games. Despite their struggles, the Trojans have shown signs of life in recent outings, with Boogie Ellis (G) leading the charge averaging 17.0 points per game, and Isaiah Collier (G) facilitating the offense with 4.3 assists per game. USC’s offensive capabilities will be tested against Washington State’s defense, which ranks 62nd in field goal percentage allowed and has held 17 of their 28 opponents to under 70 points this season.

Washington State, on the other hand, has had a remarkable season, sitting comfortably with a 21-7 overall record and a dominant 13-1 record at home. Isaac Jones (F) has been a consistent force for the Cougars, leading the team with 15.8 points and 7.7 rebounds per game. The Cougars’ offensive efficiency, ranked 50th in the country, will be a key factor as they look to exploit USC’s bottom-50 defensive rebounding percentage. The matchup between Jones and USC’s frontcourt could be a deciding factor in the game’s outcome.

Both teams have their strengths and weaknesses, but the game may ultimately come down to which team can control the tempo and execute their game plan more effectively. With Washington State’s strong rebounding and USC’s need to disrupt the Cougars’ rhythm, fans can expect a competitive and intense matchup. As the teams prepare to take the court at Beasley Coliseum, all eyes will be on the key players and how they perform under pressure in this critical conference clash.

USC Trojans vs. Washington State Cougars Pick

The Washington State Cougars have demonstrated a strong home-court advantage this season, boasting a 13-1 record at Beasley Coliseum. Their impressive overall record of 21-7, coupled with a solid 12-5 in conference play, indicates a team that has found a winning formula. The Cougars’ defense has been a cornerstone of their success, holding opponents to under 70 points in 17 of their 28 games. With Isaac Jones leading the team in both scoring and rebounding, Washington State’s ability to control the boards and maintain offensive efficiency, which ranks 50th in the nation, gives them a significant edge over the USC Trojans, who struggle with defensive rebounding.

On the other hand, the USC Trojans have had a challenging season with a 11-16 overall record and a 5-11 conference record. Their road performance has been particularly concerning, with only 2 wins out of 10 games. While Boogie Ellis and Isaiah Collier provide a glimmer of hope for USC, the Trojans’ inconsistency and defensive vulnerabilities make it difficult to justify a moneyline bet in their favor, especially against a Washington State team that has been dominant at home. Considering these factors, the smart pick for this game is the Washington State Cougars on the moneyline.

The Pick: Washington State Cougars -295. (FanDuel)