While it has not been a great UCLA basketball season they have a serious shot at a March Madness invite. Head coach Steve Alford has led UCLA to three Sweet Sixteen appearances in four seasons. However, defense is a likely detriment to a strong Bruin tourney run this spring. Conversely the USC Trojans emerged as a surprise Pac 12 title contender. Even more important is that USC is been profitable with Vegas Lines NCAA Basketball. In his fifth season as Trojans coach Andy Enfield is primed for a third straight Big Dance invite.
UCLA Bruins vs. USC Trojans
Date and Time: Saturday, March 3, 2018, 10:15 p.m. Eastern
Location: Galen Center, Los Angeles, California
Click here to Betting Online Odds at SBG
Bruins vs. Trojans TV Coverage: ESPN
UCLA Bruins
Inconsistency with Vegas Lines NCAA Basketball has been the ID of the UCLA Bruins this season. Indicative of that is their record of 19-10 straight up and 14-15 vs. the line. Recently UCLA is 3-5 straight up and against the spread. Worse, the Bruins are on a two game losing streak. Colorado scored an 80-76 home payout against UCLA in their last game. Offensively Steve Alford’s team ranks 28th in the nation. However, a defense that ranks 276th is what’s holding the team back. Junior guard Aaron Holiday leads with 20 points and six assists per game.
USC Trojans
USC has the hotter hand entering this game. Impressively the Men of Troy are 21-9 straight up and 19-10 against the spread. With six payouts in their last nine games USC is in good betting form. Under the total has paid in eight of their last nine games. Arizona leads the Trojans by just one game in the Pac 12 standings. As the FBI scandal blows on the Wildcats USC may have an opening. Coach Andy Enfield’s team is coming off road payouts at Colorado and Utah.
While USC lacks a dominant scorer like Holiday they do boast scoring depth. Four of the Trojan starters are averaging 11 points per game or better. Enfield has worked quickly to make the program into a consistent winner. A third consecutive Big Dance bid looms for the Trojans.
Team vs Team
Between these teams USC has the online sportsbook profit margin over UCLA. Most noteworthy is that the Trojans have covered five of their last seven against the Bruins. Over the total has paid in nine of the last 12 in this series. Especially relevant is that USC has won and covered their last two at Galen Center vs. UCLA. Both of those games also went over the total. Previously this season UCLA scored an 82-79 home payout over USC on February 3.
Matchup to Watch
Seems like at times UCLA plays no defense at all. As a result, their Vegas Lines NCAA Basketball value drops dangerously. Enfield has proven to be a great hire for Troy. Consequently, he has built a consistent March Madness contender.
Bruins vs. Trojans NCAA games Betting Odds Picks
In conclusion the Trojans are the more complete team. Beyond that USC has the Bruins number in this series. Revenge for the loss at UCLA last month seals the deal. Therefore, the USC Trojans are the pick.
NCAA Betting Online Pick: USC Trojans
NCAA Betting Online Score Prediction: Trojans 85, Bruins 78