The Washington State Cougars (3-7) and USC Trojans (9-1) meet Sunday at the Galen Center in Los Angeles, California. Tip-off is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. ET (FS1). Let’s analyze BetMGM Sportsbook’s NCAA basketball odds around the Washington State vs. USC odds and make our expert college basketball picks and predictions for the best bets.
USC leads the all-time series 81-50, although Washington State won the most recent meeting 75-72 on Feb. 29, 2024, when both teams were still members of the Pac-12. In fact, the Cougars are 3-1 straight up (SU) and 2-2 against the spread (ATS) in the past 4 meetings, with the Over going 3-1 in that span.
Washington State was pounded 78-64 at home by the Nevada Wolf Pack as a 2-point favorite as the Under (145.5) cashed. G Tomas Thrastarson led the way with 20 points off the bench, hitting an efficient 7-of-10 from the field. F ND Okafor scored just 5 points, but he grabbed 8 boards with 5 blocks.
The Cougars have lost 4 in a row, and they’re 1-3 ATS in the skid, while the Under has cashed in each of the past 3 outings.
USC won 94-81 at the San Diego Toreros last time out Tuesday, just missing a cover as a 14-point favorite as the Over (158.5) cashed for the fifth consecutive game. G Chad Baker-Mazara rolled up 31 points with 6 rebounds, 6 assists, 5 treys and 3 blocks, while F Ezra Ausar was good for 29 points on a very efficient 10-of-12 from the field. The Maui Invitational champs are 2-5 ATS in the past 7 games.
– Rankings: USA TODAY Sports Coaches Poll
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Washington State at USC odds
Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 7:54 a.m. ET.
- Moneyline (ML): Washington State +825 (bet $100 to win $825) | USC -1400 (bet $1,400 to win $100)
- Against the spread: Washington +15.5 (-118) | USC -15.5 (-102)
- Over/Under (O/U): 158.5 (O: -110 | U: -110)
Washington State at USC picks and predictions
Prediction
USC 89, Washington State 71
PASS.
USC (-1400) will set you back 14 times your potential return, and that’s way too much risk for not enough reward. You cannot bet the Trojans straight up, and even as part of a multi-leg parlay it makes little sense. Betting such heavy favorites over the long term is a losing betting strategy.
USC -15.5 (-102) is worth playing lightly. Washington State is just 1-3 ATS in the past 4 games, and 3-6 ATS in 9 games against Division I opponents.
The Trojans have managed just a 2-5 ATS mark in the past 7 games, so there is concern. And, USC has failed to cover the past 2 as a double-digit favorite, so tread lightly.
OVER 158.5 (-110) is the lean, but go with a half-unit play at best.
The total has gone high in 5 in a row for USC, so that’s what is driving this Over train. However, go lightly here, as the Under has cashed in 3 in a row for Washington State, with the Cougars mustering 64 or fewer points in each of the past 3 outings, averaging 61.7 PPG in the span.
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