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Two Pac 12 Rivals will go at it on Thursday night, when the USC Trojans take on the 7th ranked Arizona Wildcats on Thursday night.
College Basketball Predictions - USC vs Arizona
USC Trojans (10-15, 2-11 Pac 12) vs. #7 Arizona Wildcats (22-3, 10-2 Pac 12), Thursday, February 19, 9 PM. ET.
The Trojans vs Wildcats used to be one of the biggest rivalries in the Pac 12, but USC has been on a downward trend since they last made the NCAA tournament in the 2010/2011 season. Since then, the Trojans have had three consecutive losing seasons, and are on their way to a fourth, unless they can win their remaining five games.
The last time the Wildcats lost a game to the Trojans was in the 2012 season, when they were ranked #11 in the country. They will be trying to avoid another upset at the hands of their rivals.
Arizona Wildcats Basketball
The Wildcats won 14 of their first 16 games, coming away with victories over ranked teams like San Diego State, Gonzaga, and Utah, since then, they have won eight of their last nine games, and two in a row. The Wildcats have been a very well rounded team this year, and have played well on both sides of the ball. The team averages 75.9 points per game, which is the 26th best scoring average in the country, and they are also shooting .497 percent from the field, which is the 7th best percentage in the country.
On defense, the Wildcats allow opponents to score an average of 59.3 points per game, which is the 22nd best average in the country, and they also grab 25,8 rebounds per game, which is 43rd in the country. Leading the way for Arizona is freshman sensation Stanley Johnson, who is averaging 14.5 points, 6.7 rebounds, and 1.8 assists for the Wildcats. The Wildcats have won five straight home games against the Trojans, and will be going for their six consecutive home win against them on Thursday.
USC Trojans Basketball
The Trojans were in good shape at the start of the season, winning eight of their first 12 games, but things haven't worked out very well for them since they started playing conference games. The Trojans have lost 11 of their 13 conference games, and at one point went on a nine game losing streak. They finally snapped the streak in their last game against Oregon State, and they will try to end the season with a six game winning streak, which will leave them at 15-15 for the year.
USC's problem this year has been their lack of defense. The Trojans allow opponents to score 70 points per game, which is 273rd in the country. Offensively, they aren't that much better, they average 67.2 points per game, which is 183rd in the country,and they shoot .419 percent from the field, which is 255th in the nation. One of the few bright spots for the team is the play of their sophomore forward Nikola Jovanovic, who is averaging 12.4 points and 7.2 rebounds per game, while shooting .523 percent from the field.
USC Trojans vs. Arizona Wildcats Basketball Game Odds and Predictions
Most experts will pick Arizona to win the game.
My Pick: USC vs. Arizona has produced some classics in the past, if this game were being played in Los Angeles, I would have picked the Trojans, because they always play the Wildcats very tough over there. But this game is being played in Arizona, so I'm picking the Wildcats to blow out the Trojans, making them the team to put your cash on.
