UCLA vs. USC Women: Picks, Predictions and Odds

Top seed and second-ranked USC looks to complete a season sweep of rival UCLA when the two meet in the Big Ten Conference Tournament championship game on Sunday at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis at 4:30 pm ET.

Both squads are playing their third game in three days. UCLA knocked off Nebraska, 85-74, before pounding 13th-ranked Ohio State, 75-46, on Saturday. Lauren Betts had 28 points, 13 rebounds, and seven blocks and Gabriela Jaquez scored a season-high 23 points while adding nine rebounds in the win over the Cornhuskers.

Londynn Jones scored 22 points, Betts had 12 points and six rebounds, and Jaquez added 12 points and five rebounds in the thrashing of the Buckeyes. Angela Dugalic had 10 points, nine rebounds, and four assists in the win. Kiki Rice combined for 22 points and 15 assists at the point in the two wins for UCLA.

They’ll next take on the Trojans, their nemesis, and the author of their only two losses this season. USC got 31 points and 10 rebounds from All-American JuJu Watkins and 21 points and 10 rebounds from Kiki Iriafen in an 84-79 quarterfinal win over Indiana. Avery Howell added 10 points and Kennedy Smith went for nine points and seven rebounds.

Iriafen had 25 points and 11 rebounds, Watkins contributed 20 points and 11 boards, and Howell scored 11 points in USC’s 82-70 victory over Michigan on Saturday. Smith and Rayah Marshall had nine points each.

The two Big Ten newbies have dominated conference play this season, and will now get to play for a third time in less than a month, with a potential fourth matchup coming late in the NCAA Women’s Tournament starting next week.

So, who will win this matchup and claim their first Big 10 Tournament crown? See below for our experts’ predictions.

UCLA vs. USC Women betting picks and predictions

USC -2.5 (-110)

UCLA has played both tournament games like a team on a mission, while USC has almost coasted to this final. But make no mistake, the Trojans are entrenched favorites in this matchup.

Watkins, who’s in line for her second straight first-team All-American selection, has destroyed the Bruins both times this season. She has 38 points, 11 rebounds, and five assists as USC won at home just before Valentine’s Day, 71-60. Iriafen had 13 points and nine rebounds in that winning effort. 

Betts had 18 points and 13 rebounds and Janiah Barker added 10 points for the Bruins, who were top-ranked at the time and 23-0. It was the second straight season USC had given its rivals their first loss of the season, and the first time since 1983 the Trojans knocked off a top-ranked team.

It was more of Watkins in the follow-up, as she had 30 points and five assists in USC’s 80-67 victory just more than a week ago. The victory clinched the regular season Big Ten title for the Trojans. Iriafen had 17 points and nine rebounds while Talia von Oelhoffen had eight points in the win.

Rice had 16 points and six assists to pace the Bruins, who also got 11 points and 11 rebounds from Betts, and 12 points from Jones. 

Turnovers have killed UCLA in the two previous matchups. USC has scored 46 points off 36 Bruins turnovers so far. A similar stat will probably mean a third loss for coach Cari Close’s team. 

Containing Watkins is paramount. She is second in the nation in scoring at 24.5 points a game, and she has gone for 34 per contest in the two wins over the Bruins. Iriafen, who is averaging 18.5 points and 8.4 rebounds, has scored 30 total points and grabbed 18 rebounds in the two wins. 

Betts, who is pushing for All-American status herself, is going for 19.9 points and 9.9 rebounds a game this season. She most likely needs to improve on her 14.5-point average against USC this season for the Bruins to come out a winner.

It just feels like USC has its rival's number this season. Our experts expect a tighter contest than the previous two double-digit victories for the Trojans, but look for USC to win for the third time this season against the Bruins and cover the 2.5-point spread as favorites. 

Over 142.5 Total Points (-110)

USC is ninth in the nation at 81.9 points per game. UCLA is 19th, scoring 78.8 points per contest. It was a slower affair in the first meeting, as the two teams combined for 131 points. On March 1st, as UCLA tried to stay with Wakins and the Trojans, the two teams combined for 147 points.

With everything on the line, including a conference tournament championship, expect both teams to be at full throttle from the opening team. Look for USC and UCLA to total over 142.5 in a classic Big Ten final.  

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

UCLA vs. USC Women odds

UCLA	+120 ML
USC	-140 ML
Spread	USC -2.5
Total Points	O/U 142.5

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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.