Iowa Hawkeyes vs USC Trojans NCAA Basketball Betting Pick & Prediction 1/14/25

Don’t miss out on the NCAA showdown between the Hawkeyes and Trojans. The game is starting at 10:30 ET on FS1, and it’s hosted by the Trojans at Galen Center in Los Angeles, CA. Get ready to place your bets! The over/under for this game is set at 162.5 points, and USC is favored by -1.5 vs. Iowa in a Big Ten conference matchup.

IOWA HAWKEYES VS USC TROJANS BETTING PICK

The Pick: USC Trojans -1.5

This game will be played at Galen Center at 10:30 ET on Tuesday, January 14th.

WHY BET THE USC TROJANS:

• We have this one finishing with a projected score of 76-71 in favor of the Trojans.
• Not only will USC pick up the win, but look for them to cover at -1.5.
• The over/under is currently sitting at 162.5 points, and we like the under with a projected 147 points.

Can the Hawkeyes Offense Score Enough on the Road?

Iowa improved to 12-4 on the season with a dominant 85-60 win over Indiana on Saturday. The Hawkeyes, who were -5 favorites, covered the spread with ease.

Leading 43-33 at halftime, Iowa’s defense stepped up in the 2nd half, allowing just 27 points while scoring 42. The game’s total points of 145 fell well short of the 166.5 O/U line.

Iowa’s offense was firing on all cylinders in their last game, putting up 85 points with a field goal percentage of 54.2% (32/59). Their effective field goal percentage was even more impressive at 64.4%, thanks in part to their 45.8% shooting from beyond the arc (11/24). Inside the arc, they connected on 60% of their two-point attempts (21/35).

Payton Sandfort led the way with 23 points, hitting 4 of 9 from three-point range. Owen Freeman added 16 points and 12 rebounds, shooting 61.5% from the field. Josh Dix also chipped in 12 points, knocking down 4 of 5 from deep.

Despite giving up 60 points, Iowa’s defense struggled to contain their opponent, who shot 54% from the field. They were particularly effective inside, hitting 60% of their two-point attempts, going 21/35.

From beyond the arc, Iowa allowed 11 threes on 24 attempts, a 45% shooting performance. Their opponent also went 10/18 from the free-throw line. Iowa gave up 9 offensive rebounds in the game.

Can USC Grab a Win at Home?

USC improved to 10-6 on the season with an 82-72 road win over Illinois on Saturday. The Trojans entered the game as +12.5 point underdogs but not only pulled off the upset, they also covered the spread.

After trailing 38-35 at halftime, USC turned things around in the 2nd half, outscoring Illinois 47-34. The game’s total points of 154 narrowly went over the pre-game O/U line of 153.5.

USC put up 82 points in their last game, shooting 52.3% from the field and posting an effective field goal percentage of 55.4%. They connected on 56.9% of their two-point attempts, while hitting 35.7% from beyond the arc, going 5-for-14 from three-point range. At the free-throw line, the Trojans were efficient, making 81.8% of their attempts, hitting 9-of-11.

Desmond Claude led the way with 31 points, shooting 60.0% overall. Wesley Yates III was nearly perfect, hitting 7-of-8 shots for 15 points. Ben Humrichous also contributed 15 points, knocking down 3-of-8 from three. Rashaun Agee added 13 points, making 3-of-5 from deep.

USC’s defense held their opponent to 72 points on 37% shooting from the field. They allowed 23 made field goals on 62 attempts.

From beyond the arc, USC’s defense limited their opponent to 7/32 shooting, or 21%. However, they sent them to the free-throw line 21 times, where they made 19 free throws, shooting 90%.