USC vs. Arizona odds, props, predictions: Trojans season on the brink in Tucson

USC needs a win tonight before their season becomes a total loss, while Arizona is looking to avoid a second straight defeat. The Wildcats have only lost four games all season but have not lost consecutively thus far. The Trojans have gone from a highly ranked team to an underperforming one and now are dealing with injuries to several of their best players. 

The Trojans desperately need to get wins regardless of which players are available in order stand any chance of making the NCAA Tournament. USC has an 8-9 ATS record but has covered three of their last four. Arizona has a 12-4 ATS record but have only covered at a 50% rate since covering their first eight matchups. The Wildcats were nine-point favorites in their defeat to Washington State — every one of their defeats came as the favored team.

Here is the USC vs. Arizona betting news, player props and a betting prediction as both teams look to get back on track in Pac-12 play. The game tips off at 10 p.m. on ESPN. 

Live odds for USC vs. Arizona

Here are the spread, moneyline and total points live odds for USC vs. Arizona at the top legal online sportsbooks.

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USC Trojans betting news

The Trojans face serious injury problems and could not be dealing with them at a worse time. Boogie Ellis has been dealing with a hamstring injury and is questionable to play, freshman and projected lottery pick Isaiah Collier is out for a month and center Joshua Morgan has missed two straight games with a respiratory illness. 

Ellis and Morgan will likely play tonight, which will boost the Trojans' chances against Arizona. They will need a boost and some standout performances to have a chance to pull off the upset. The Trojans rank 69th for adjusted offensive efficiency and 82nd for adjusted defensive efficiency on Kenpom. Arizona will mop the floor with them if they do not outperform those rankings.

Two players who have the ability to elevate the Trojans to compete with the Wildcats tonight are Boogie Ellis and Bronny James. Ellis, a high-volume scorer, averages 18.7 PPG and boasts seven games this season with over 20 points. When Ellis scores over 20, the Trojans are 5-2, and in both contests without Ellis, USC is winless. Bronny James returned from a congenital heart defect and has been up and down. Yet, as a former four-star recruit, he has the talent to elevate the Trojans' ceiling as a team.

Arizona Wildcat betting news

The Wildcats are one of the most talented teams in the country and are in the top-tier group capable of competing for a National Championship. Arizona has the fourth-ranked offensive and fourth-ranked defense for adjusted efficiency. They also play at a blistering pace, ranking ninth for adjusted tempo on Kenpom. The Wildcats have the second-ranked adjusted strength of schedule, as they have played several of the country's top teams.

Their challenging schedule proves they can beat anyone. Each of their four defeats paints a different picture. Losses to Purdue and Florida Atlantic are acceptable against highly ranked teams. Defeats to Stanford and Washington State as 12- and nine-point favorites show that the Wildcats can play down to their opponents at times.

If Arizona plays like they are capable, it is tough to imagine USC keeping it close, even if they get standout performances from Boogie Ellis and Bronny James. USC won't have the firepower to keep up with Arizona and their five double-digit scorers when they are their best. While not very efficient, Caleb Love shoots 43.9% from the field and 33% from three, averaging an impressive 18.3 PPG.

Oumar Ballo (12.7 PPG, 8.7 RPG), Pelle Larson (12.3 PPG), Keshad Johnson (11.9 PPG, 6.1 RPG) and Kylan Boswell (10.4 PPG) make defending Arizona incredibly tough. The biggest concern for Arizona is whether they will play like they are capable. 

USC vs. Arizona player props at FanDuel Sportsbook

Check out some of our favorite player props at FanDuel Sportsbook for the Trojans vs. Wildcats late-night action on ESPN.

Caleb Love player props

• 19.5 points OVER (+100) / UNDER (-130)
• 5.5 rebounds OVER (+112) / UNDER (-156)

Oumar Ballo player props

• 12.5 points OVER (-110) / UNDER (-120)

Bronny James player props

• 5.5 points OVER (-115) / UNDER (-115)

Kylan Boswell player props

• 10.5 points OVER (+100) / UNDER (-130)
• 3.5 assists OVER (-132) / UNDER (-108)

Keshad Johnson player props

• 10.5 points OVER (-120) / UNDER (-110)

Kobe Johnson player props

• 12.5 points OVER (-115) / UNDER (-115)

USC vs. Arizona prediction: Trojans lose close contest

The Wildcats are coming off a loss and have not covered at a high rate since their hot start to the season. USC won't have enough at their disposal to beat Arizona but should keep it close enough to cover the double-digit spread.

Pick: USC