USC vs. UCLA Women: Picks, Predictions and Odds

The second-ranked UCLA Bruins, 27-1 overall and 16-1 in the Big 10, put their perfect home record on the line when they host fourth-ranked and crosstown rival USC in a matchup for the Big 10 regular season title at Pauley Pavilion.

The Trojans are 25-2 overall and 16-1 in the Big Ten. They have won six straight including a 71-60 victory over the Bruins just before Valentine’s Day that ended UCLA’s 23-game winning streak. 

The loss knocked the Bruins from the ranks of the unbeaten and eventually ended their 12-week run as the top-ranked team. It was the second consecutive year the Trojans handed UCLA its first loss of the season. 

JuJu Watkins, third in the country with 24.2 points per game, scored 38 points, grabbed 11 rebounds, and dished out five assists in USC’s 71-60 victory. 

Kiki Iriafen added 13 points and nine rebounds for the Trojans, who outscored UCLA 24-8 in the fourth quarter. Lauren Betts had 18 points and 13 rebounds and Kiki Rice scored 15 points to lead the Bruins. 

The two Big 10 newbies have dominated the conference. UCLA is 13-0 at home and the Trojans are 8-1 on the road - a 76-69 defeat at Iowa last month their only conference blemish to date. Both teams have also gone 8-1 against ranked opponents. 

Watkins and Betts are 1-2 in the conference in terms of scoring. Betts had 26 points and 10 rebounds, Timea Gardiner added 14 points and 10 rebounds and Londynn Jones contributed 13 points as UCLA won its fourth straight Wednesday, a 91-61 blowout of host Wisconsin. Betts is averaging more than 23 points the last three games.  

USC got 22 points from both Watkins and Iriafen, as well as 12 points and 13 rebounds from Rayah Marshall in a 76-66 victory over then-No. 25 Illinois last Sunday. 

Who will win this matchup and clinch the Big 10 regular season title? See below for our experts’ predictions.

USC vs. UCLA Women betting picks and predictions

USC +4.5 (-110)

Watkins, who’s in line for her second straight first-team All-American selection, has destroyed the Bruins in three matchups in her career. 

With this season’s earlier 38-point performance, Watkins is averaging more than 32 points a game against the Trojans’ rivals. 

UCLA needs to stunt her somewhat at least. She is averaging 6.4 rebounds as well. Iriafen is going for 18.2 points and 8.2 rebounds as the team is ninth in the country with 81.9 points per game.  

Betts (20 ppg, 9.8 rpg, 2.8 bpg) has been a force all season, and looks unaffected by a right foot injury that sidelined her in the Bruins’ 75-69 victory over then-No. 22 Michigan State two weeks ago. 

She’s averaged more than 23 points in UCLA’s last three games, all wins. Kiki Rice (12.8 ppg, 4.4 apg) and Gabriela Jacquez (9.7 ppg) are the only other Bruins averaging in double figures. 

UCLA’s unblemished home record is in jeopardy. USC will not be daunted by the crowd and have the firepower to hang with the Bruins throughout. In a tight contest, look for the Trojans to at least cover the 4.5-point spread as underdogs. 

Total Under 140.5 Points (-110)

With Watkins at the helm, the Trojans are a high-scoring machine. UCLA are no slouches either, averaging 79.2 points a game, good for 20th in the country. 

However, the teams combined for just 131 points in their first outing. With the Big Ten regular season title on the line, both teams’ defenses should do enough to keep the score down. 

Look for USC and UCLA to total under 140.5 points for the second time this season.

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

USC vs. UCLA Women odds

USC	+165 ML
UCLA	-200 ML
Spread	UCLA -4.5
Total Points	O/U 140.5

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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.