Wisconsin Badgers vs USC Trojans NCAA Basketball Betting Pick & Prediction 1/18/25
The Badgers and Trojans are set to face off at 3:00 ET on BTN. The Trojans will host the game at Galen Center in Los Angeles, CA. Wisconsin is favored by -2.5 in this Big Ten conference matchup the against USC. The over/under for the game is set at 150.5 points.
WISCONSIN BADGERS VS USC TROJANS BETTING PICK
The Pick: USC Trojans +2.5
This game will be played at Galen Center at 3:00 ET on Saturday, January 18th.
WHY BET THE USC TROJANS:
- We have this one finishing with a projected score of 75-71 in favor of the Trojans.
- Not only will USC pick up the win, but look for them to cover at +2.5.
- The over/under is currently sitting at 150.5 points, and we like the under with a projected 146 points.
Can the Wisconsin Offense Score Enough on the Road?
Wisconsin Badgers Recent Game/Games
Wisconsin improved to 14-3 on the season with a 70-68 win over Ohio State on Tuesday. The Badgers, who were -6.5 favorites, didn’t cover the spread. The game’s total points of 138 fell short of the O/U line of 149.5.
Wisconsin led 37-20 at halftime but allowed 48 points in the 2nd half while scoring 33 of their own. Despite the narrow win, the Badgers will need to address their 2nd half defensive struggles moving forward.
In their latest game, Wisconsin’s offense put up 70 points, shooting 41.7% from the field. Their effective field goal percentage was 45.8%, with a strong 57.7% from two-point range. However, they struggled from beyond the arc, hitting just 5 of 22 attempts for 22.7%.
The Badgers were impressive at the free-throw line, knocking down 25 of 28 attempts, good for 89.3%. Bruce Thornton led the way with 21 points and 3 assists, while John Tonje added 17 points. Wisconsin finished with just 6 assists and 6 offensive rebounds as a team.
Despite Wisconsin’s defensive efforts, they gave up 68 points, with the opposing team shooting 41% from the field. The Badgers allowed 15 two-point baskets on 26 attempts, translating to 57% shooting inside the arc.
From beyond the three-point line, Wisconsin held their opponent to just 5 made threes on 22 attempts, a 22% shooting performance. However, the opposing team capitalized at the free-throw line, hitting 25 of 28 attempts, good for 89%. Wisconsin also allowed 6 offensive rebounds.
Can the Trojans Pull Off a Home Win?
USC Trojans Recent Game/Games
USC improved to 11-6 on the season with a 99-89 win over Iowa on Tuesday. The Trojans, who were -3 favorites, covered the spread at home.
USC led 48-32 at halftime but allowed 57 points in the 2nd half while scoring 51. The game’s total points of 188 exceeded the O/U line of 161.5.
USC’s offense was firing on all cylinders, putting up 99 points with a field goal percentage of 64.9% (37/57) and an effective field goal percentage of 73.7%. They were deadly from beyond the arc, hitting 10 of 15 threes for 66.7%, while also shooting 64.3% from two-point range (27/42).
Desmond Claude led the way with 25 points and 9 assists, while Saint Thomas added 24 points on 9/10 shooting, including 3/4 from three. Wesley Yates III contributed 21 points, hitting 4 of 5 from deep, and Owen Freeman chipped in 23 points, making 11 of 14 shots.
USC’s defense struggled in their last game, giving up 89 points on 64% shooting from the field. The Trojans allowed 37 made baskets on 57 attempts.
From beyond the arc, USC’s defense gave up 10 threes on 15 attempts, a 66% shooting performance. They also sent the opposing team to the free-throw line 25 times, where they converted 15 free throws.