UC Irvine vs USC Odds and Picks (Dec. 15)

• The USC Trojans are solid 11.5-point home favorites over the UC Irvine Anteaters in an NCAA men’s basketball game slated for Wednesday, December 15
• Ranked #10 this week, USC moved into the top 10 of the AP Top 25 for the first time since the 1991-92 season
• The Trojans are among seven NCAA Division I schools that remain unbeaten this season

If you’re the UC Irvine Anteaters, this is what you’re left to chew on as you get ready to play the USC Trojans on Wednesday.

The Trojans are ranked in the NCAA top 10 for just the second time in the past three decades. At 10-0, So Cal is among seven remaining NCAA Division I schools that have yet to suffer defeat during the 2021-22 season.

At the same time, the Anteaters also are aware that they’re 1-1 in their last two games against USC. As well, the UC Irvine victory was fashioned on the road.

Oddsmakers are putting much more stock in the earlier-mentioned data. It’s the Trojans who are being assigned as solid 11.5-point favorites to overcome the Anteaters. USC is just 3-2 against the spread at home this season.

UC Irvine vs #10 USC Odds

Odds as of December 14th at BetMGM.

Tipoff for Wednesday’s game is set for 9:00 pm ET at the Galen Center. The Pac-12 Network is carrying the broadcast.

UC Irvine Anteaters Betting Trends

UC Irvine’s win streak was snapped at five games with Saturday’s 63-55 loss at Fresno State. Depth and balance are key components for the Anteaters. They’ve used 11 players in six different games. There are 13 Anteaters averaging over 10 minutes per game and eight who are logging more than 15 minutes per game.

Brighten up your rainy day with some DUNKS! 🌧️🌧️ Big test tomorrow against the #10 team in the country USC.#StillHungry pic.twitter.com/mlncwIcULT

— UCI Men's Basketball (@UCImbb) December 14, 2021

The Anteaters lead the Big West in 3-point field goal percentage, hitting 38.7% of shots. They defend the arc even better. UC Irvine is allowing 25% to opponents from 3-point range. That’s #4 in the NCAA. UC Irvine’s 8.29 steals per game lead the Big West. The Anteaters are second in blocks with 3.14 per game.

Redshirt senior Collin Welp ranks ninth in the Big West in scoring (12.6 points per game) and rebounding (6.9 rebounds per game). He’s also third in free-throw percentage (80.6). Junior forward Austin Johnson has a conference-leading 15 blocks. He’s 42nd nationally, averaging  2.14 blocks per game.

USC Trojans Betting Trends

The Trojans are off to their best start since 2017, when they began 14-0. USC’s 1.59 assist to turnover ratio rates 14th in the country. The Trojans turn the ball over 10.4 times per game. That’s tied for 25th-fewest among Division I teams.

Junior forward Isaiah Mobley and redshirt senior forward Chevez Goodwin are the top two scorers and rebounders on the Trojans. Mobley is averaging just shy of a double-double. He’s leading the team witrh 14.7 points per game and 9.8 rebounds per game. Mobley ranks 19th in the country in rebounds per game.

Ladies and gentlemen, your 🔟-0️⃣ Trojans are officially in the Top 🔟! pic.twitter.com/adRocFMHFG

— USC Men's Basketball (@USC_Hoops) December 13, 2021

Goodwin is the Trojans’ second-leading scorer (12.2 points per game) and rebounder (7.1 rebounds per game). Goodwin’s 65.1 shooting percentage is best among USC players and ranks eighth in the country.  Mobley ranks first and Goodwin sixth among Pac-12 players in rebounds per game. Senior guard Drew Peterson has a team-best 35 assists.

Trojans vs Anteaters Prediction

USC will face a stern test seeking to score on UC Irvine. Nationally, the Anteaters defense is among the best in the NCAA. UC Irvine allowed the least amount of points in the country last week. For the season, they rank third in the nation. The Anteaters are allowing 54.6 points per game.

The UC Irvine defense rates in the top 10 nationally, allowing the second-lowest field goal percentage (34.5) and fourth-lowest three-point percentage (25.0). They’re also grabbing the 11th-most defensive rebounds per game (30.29), the 21st-most total rebounds per game (42.14). On average, the Anteaters are pulling down 10.6 more rebounds than their opponents. That ranks 11th nationally.

Captain @MobleyIsaiah is leading by example, topping the Pac-12 in rebounding so far. pic.twitter.com/vsaxYQsKUk

— USC Men's Basketball (@USC_Hoops) December 14, 2021

USC also plays it tough without the ball. The Trojans have held each of their opponents under 40% shooting.  For the season, USC has held the opposition to 35.2% shooting. That’s good for fourth in the country. USC is holding opponents to a 27.8 shooting percentage from beyond the arc, 31st in the NCAA.

This is the seventh time this season USC is a double-digit favorite. After opening 3-0 against the spread in this scenario, the Trojans are 0-3 ATS since.

Pick: UC Irvine Anteaters +11.5 (-110).