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USC Trojans vs Washington Huskies Betting Preview
No. 24 USC returns home at 8-0 after an 82-77 road win over Oregon to open Big Ten play. The Trojans keep producing despite being without star guard Rodney Rice, who remains out with a shoulder injury. You can track updated market pricing anytime through the NCAA basketball odds page.
In Rice’s absence, Chad Baker-Mazara has taken over the scoring load with back-to-back 20-point performances, including a key step-back three that closed out Oregon. Ezra Ausar continues to give USC a powerful roll threat and second-chance scoring. Jacob Cofie added 17 points at Oregon, doing most of that damage in the first half. The inside-outside mix between Baker-Mazara and Ausar has shaped USC’s offense, which ranks among the nation’s best at over 90 points per game.
Washington enters at 5-3 with defensive concerns. The Huskies have dropped two straight, including an 82-80 loss to UCLA in their conference opener. Washington allowed the Bruins to shoot above 52 percent from the field and almost 45 percent from three. They have now allowed 81 or more points in three of their last four games.
Freshman Hannes Steinbach returned from an ankle sprain and delivered 29 points and 10 rebounds on 11-of-12 shooting. He leads Washington at 17.4 points per game. Wesley Yates III adds 16.3 per outing, and both matchups against their former teams add intrigue. Washington needs defensive stability and more consistent guard play to slow USC’s spacing and pick-and-roll execution.
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Line Movement and Odds
USC projects as a solid home favorite based on efficiency, scoring depth, and Washington’s defensive slide. Early totals trend high due to USC’s fast scoring pace and Washington’s recent defensive results. For full-board comparisons and matchup context, use the NCAA basketball previews page. Public action leans toward USC because of their unbeaten start, while sharp money watches Washington’s returning personnel for potential value.
Matchup Breakdown
USC spreads the floor with shooting and rolls hard through Ausar. Baker-Mazara’s creation forces rotations, opening clean shots for Cornish, Brownell and Cofie. USC is hitting 38 percent from deep, and their ball movement sharpens when Rice is out because the offense distributes naturally.
Washington’s best path comes from interior efficiency. Steinbach’s scoring and rebounding provide the Huskies with stability, but they must defend long enough to stay within single-digit runs. Their transition defense has been a liability, and UCLA exploited early gaps to score 46 points in the second half.
For angle comparisons and supporting metrics, the free college basketball picks section frames how similar matchups grade out.
Injuries and Conditions
USC
- Rodney Rice (shoulder) – Out
Full roster info: USC team page
Washington
- Desmond Claude (ankle) – Questionable, limited recently
Full roster info: Washington team page
Indoor setting, no weather factors.
Best Bets and Prediction
USC’s spacing, efficiency and bench scoring create a clear advantage over a Washington defense still searching for consistency. The Trojans should control pace and shot quality.
Projected Score: USC 88, Washington 74
Best Bet: USC ATS
Secondary Lean: Over, tied to USC pace and Washington’s high-efficiency scorers
For situational betting strategy and matchup fundamentals, see the Bettors Handbook.
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