The USC Trojans (18-9) and UCLA Bruins (18-9) meet in a crucial Big Ten battle today at 11:00 p.m. ET on Fox Sports 1.
Following three consecutive losses, USC may be on the outside looking in at the NCAA Tournament. UCLA, meanwhile, could be comfortably in the Big Dance following February 21’s win over No. 10 Illinois.
Which PrizePicks picks make our USC vs. UCLA prediction for Tuesday night’s Crosstown Showdown? Use PrizePicks and Team Picks to make predictions on player projections, game winners, spreads, over/unders, and more.
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USC vs. UCLA Prediction, Spread, Over/Under
UCLA is 6-2 in the last eight matchups, but the spread is tied at 4-4 in the split. The over/under is also knotted at 4-4 over the previous eight collisions.
Both teams have participated in recent high-scoring games, with the over being 5-2 in the Trojans’ last seven games and 5-1 over the Bruins’ previous six. Each squad is 1-3 against the spread (ATS) in the past four contests.
USC vs. UCLA Spread, Over/Under
USC is 3-0 ATS in its last three away games as an underdog. The Trojans could continue that trend tonight as 6.5-point underdogs on Tuesday, via PrizePicks Team Picks.
Will the over stay hot for the 149.5 total?
- Spread: UCLA Bruins -6.5
- Over/Under: 149.5
- Gamer Winner Payout: USC 3.44x | UCLA 1.29x
Team Picks data is live as of writing and is subject to change.
USC vs. UCLA Prediction for Over/Under
Tuesday features a matchup of contrasting styles, as Bart Torvik ranks USC in the 92nd percentile for the quickest adjusted tempo and UCLA in the 98th percentile for the slowest adjusted tempo.
Despite their pace, the Trojans still attempt only 58.3 shots per game (52nd percentile). The Bruins average the same while giving up only 56.0 field goal attempts per matchup (77th percentile).
UCLA sits 40th in adjusted offensive efficiency, albeit in the seventh percentile for close 2s and eighth percentile for 3-pointers. The Bruins’ shot distributions are far from efficient, and they shoot only 51.4% inside the arc.
While UCLA shoots an impressive 37.9% from 3-point land, it launches just 20.4 attempts per game. Plus, opponents shoot a measly 30.1% from beyond the arc against USC.
The Trojans are most efficient on 2-pointers with a 52.3% mark. However, the Bruins surrender a 31.7% close-2 shot distribution (94th percentile).
UCLA’s knack for slow-paced, defensive games could influence tonight’s over/under.
USC vs. UCLA Picks for PrizePicks Today: 2/24/26
USC F Jacbo Cofie and UCLA G Trent Perry could make an impact for Tuesday’s player picks on PrizePicks.
USC F Jacob Cofie vs. UCLA Projection: 9.5 Points
- UCLA gives up 25.3 3-point shots per game (20th percentile) and a 45.1% shot distribution from deep (eighth percentile).
- Cofie has posted 3.3 attempted triples per game over his last three, surpassing his 1.9 season average. Plus, he shot 40.0% from deep in the split, recording 1.3 made treys per game.
- The sophomore forward logged 11.5 PPG and 8.7 field goal attempts per appearance in the last six. Once again, Cofie’s usage is rising, as he averages 7.6 shots this season.
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UCLA G Trent Perry vs. USC Projection: 14.5 Points
- USC has held opponents to a low 3-point percentage, but Perry’s 44.6% 3-point clip still catches the eye.
- In his last seven games, the sophomore made 14 of 25 triples (56.0%).
- Sticking with his last seven outings, Perry averaged 9.4 shots per game in the split compared to 8.1 on the season.
- This increased usage led to 15.7 PPG for the UCLA guard in his past seven appearances.
Make USC vs. UCLA Picks on PrizePicks
According to PrizePicks Team Picks, UCLA has a 1.05x payout to qualify for the NCAA Tournament’s Round of 64. USC’s situation is dire, with a 3.7x payout to earn the bid. Will the Trojans pull off a road upset to keep their postseason aspirations alive?
Make your USC vs. UCLA picks at PrizePicks, where you can earn real-money rewards for your predictions if you’re right. Just choose players, predict More or Less on their projected stats, and follow the hoops action to see if your picks hit. You can make picks on winners, spreads, and over/unders on Team Picks, now available in 34 states.
Keep tabs on the Playbook for continued college basketball predictions, picks, and news.
