Michigan State vs. USC Women: Picks, Predictions and Odds

The No. 4 USC Trojans (23-2, 13-1 Big Ten) have taken control of the Big Ten, and they face the No. 22 Michigan State Spartans (19-6, 9-5 Big Ten) in Los Angeles on Wednesday.

Coming off their first win over a No. 1-ranked team since 1983 - a 71-60 victory over UCLA on Thursday - the Trojans now sit a half game ahead of the Bruins at the top of the standings. 

Coach Lindsay Gottlieb’s team will look to defend Galen Center on Wednesday night at 9:30 PM ET against the Spartans.

The Trojans have won four straight, including the big victory over UCLA, as well a tight follow-up win Sunday in Seattle over the Washington Huskies. USC trailed by as many as 12 against the Huskies before it outscored the hosts, 30-21, in the fourth quarter to escape with the win.

Watkins, a First-Team All-American as a freshman last year continues to strengthen her Player-of-the-Year candidacy this season. She had 38 points and 11 rebounds against UCLA and leads the Trojans with 24.2 points a game, to go with 6.9 rebounds and 3.8 assists.

The Spartans, under second-year coach Robyn Fralick, are currently sixth in the conference, four games behind USC. The team has lost three of its last five, including a 75-69 setback at UCLA on Sunday.

Read below to see our experts’ predictions for this Wednesday night matchup between ranked Big Ten teams.

Michigan State vs. USC Women betting picks and predictions

USC -13.5 (-110)

USC has gotten the job done at home all season. The Trojans’ only loss at the Galen Center came at the hands of current No. 1 Notre Dame in November.

The Trojans are 6-0 at home in Big Ten play, winning by an average of nearly 18 points. That includes double-digit victories over ranked Michigan, Ohio State, and UCLA squads.

Watkins has been lights-out in front of the home crowd, averaging nearly 28 points a game in Big Ten play there. USC is currently 10th in the country in scoring, averaging 82.1 points a game. Michigan State is right behind in 11th place, averaging 81 points a game. 

The Spartans have been strong recently away from East Lansing, winning four of their last five Big Ten road contests. Fralick’s bunch is 10th in the country shooting beyond the arc (37.4 percent). The team has been tough on the road in the Big Ten, as those three losses are by an average of less than six points.

However, Watkins and the Trojans were sufficiently tested in Seattle over the weekend and will be ready to go at home tonight. Look for USC to stay atop the Big 10 and cover the 13.5-point spread.

Over 146.5 total points (-110)

With Watkins and forward Kiki Iriafen, the Trojans are always a threat to tally more than 80 points per contest.

However, USC’s offensive proficiency is matched by its defensive effort. The team is allowing just 57 points a game overall, which bumps up slightly to 63 points per contest at home in Big Ten play.

They’ll be tested by Michigan State, which is averaging more than 78 points a game on the road in conference play. The team’s three-point prowess should also keep the scoring going throughout the content.

Look for the teams to total Over 146.5 points combined.

Read more betting picks and predictions for College Basketball on site.

Michigan State vs. USC Women odds

Michigan State	+750 ML
USC	-1200 ML
Spread	USC -13.5
Total Points	O/U 146.5

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This article was written by a partner sports writer via Spotlight Sports Group. All odds displayed on this page were correct at the time of writing and are subject to withdrawal or change at any time.