SportsJaw
LeaderboardToday's GamesBest BetsLive OddsMake Picks
Login / Sign In
Today's GamesLatest PredictionsToday’s Best BetsLive OddsTeam PredictionsHead-to-Head MatchupsSJ CoinsAbout SportsJawContact UsLogin / Sign In
HomeMatchupsMake PicksLeaders
SportsJaw

The social platform for sports bettors.

Explore SportsJaw

  • Today’s Picks
  • Predictions
  • Best Bets
  • Leaderboard
  • Make Picks
  • Live Odds
  • Team Predictions
  • Head-to-Head
  • Game Briefing

Picks by Sport

  • NFL Picks
  • NCAAF Picks
  • NBA Picks
  • NCAAB Picks
  • MLB Picks
  • NHL Picks

About SportsJaw

  • How It Works
  • SJ Coins
  • Terms
  • Privacy
  • Contact Us

21+. Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER. Picks are opinions, not guarantees. Past results do not predict future outcomes.

© 2026 SportsJaw. For entertainment purposes only. SportsJaw does not accept or place wagers.

  1. Home
  2. NCAAB Picks
  3. Michigan Wolverines vs USC Trojans
Sat 8:00 PM ET
Michigan Wolverines logo
Michigan
Wolverines85
37-3
versus
USC Trojans logo
USC
Trojans74
18-14
Final
Team12T
Michigan Wolverines424385
USC Trojans383674
NCAAB · Michigan Wolverines at USC Trojans

Your Picks on Michigan vs USC

Picks closed
Spread
Moneyline
Total

Michigan Wolverines vs USC Trojans Betting Picks & Predictions

Game time: January 4, 2025 at 8:00 PM ET

Venue: Galen Center — Los Angeles, CA

Article updated Jan 4, 2:21 PM EST

Published by SportsJaw Editorial Team

In a highly anticipated matchup in the City of Angels, two competitive basketball teams are set to face off on the hardwood. Michigan, coming off a dominant win against

Game outlook

In a highly anticipated matchup in the City of Angels, two competitive basketball teams are set to face off on the hardwood. Michigan, coming off a dominant win against Western Kentucky, is favored to win with an opening line of -6, which has since shifted to Michigan -5.5. USC, fresh off a commanding victory over Southern, will look to secure a win on their home court. This game marks the first meeting between these two programs as Division I opponents. Fans can expect an exciting and closely contested game between these talented teams.

Betting Odds

Moneyline: Wolverines -220 | Trojans +188

Spread: Wolverines -5.5 (-110) | Trojans +5.5 (-110)

Total: Over/Under 151.5 (-110)

Based on the moneyline, the implied probability that Michigan will win straight-up is 69%.

Michigan Wolverines

Michigan secured their second consecutive victory with a dominant performance against Western Kentucky, improving their record to 10-3 overall and 2-0 in Big Ten play. The Wolverines showcased a strong offensive effort, shooting 51.6% from the floor and hitting 19 three-pointers. They also controlled the boards with a 54-27 rebounding advantage. Vladislav Goldin and Nimari Burnett led the team with 17 points each in the win. Overall, Michigan ranks 34th in the nation in scoring offense, averaging 84 points per game, while also excelling in rebounds and assists. Defensively, they are solid, allowing 66.6 points per contest. Michigan's performance has earned them a power ranking of 1, with impressive rankings in offensive and defensive statistics. They are currently 57th in offense, hitting over 51% of their field goals, and 73rd in defense, holding opponents to an average of 66.83 points per game. Throughout the season, the Wolverines have displayed a strong shooting game, effective rebounding, and solid defensive capabilities.

21+. Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER. Picks are opinions, not guarantees. Past results do not predict future outcomes.

USC Trojans Analysis

The USC Trojans are coming off a strong performance in their last game, where they defeated Southern with a commanding lead. They enter this matchup with a 9-4 overall record and are looking to build on their recent success. The team is led by Chibuzo Agbo, who scored 18 points in their previous win. USC has solid offensive and defensive stats, ranking 159th in scoring offense and 109th in points allowed per game. Terrance Williams II, Desmond Claude, and Josh Cohen provide consistent scoring for the team. USC shoots well from the field and the free-throw line, and also excels in three-point shooting. Despite Williams II being out with a back injury, the Trojans remain a strong contender. In terms of sports wagering, USC has a power ranking of 17 and has shown a strong performance against Michigan in their recent matchups. With their well-rounded team and strong stats, the Trojans are looking to continue their success in upcoming games.

USC Faces Defensive Challenge Against Michigan's Height Advantage and Shooting Abilities

An important factor to consider in the upcoming game is how USC plans to defend against Goldin and Wolf's offensive capabilities due to their significant height advantage. Goldin stands at 7’1 while Wolf is seven feet tall, presenting a challenge for USC's tallest player, Cohen, who stands at 6’10. Coach Musselman has typically utilized a small ball lineup with their top three players averaging around 6’6 to 6’7 this season. If Goldin establishes dominance early in the game, USC may face difficulties. Additionally, Michigan is known for its strong shooting abilities, further complicating USC's defensive strategy. Despite playing on the road, the Wolverines hold a clear advantage in terms of size. In light of these factors, supporting Michigan appears to be the more prudent choice in this matchup.

SportsJawGame Predictions
Predicted score

Unavailable for this preview

Projected winnerUnavailableConfidencelow
Pick on the Spread

Published pick: Unavailable

Pick on the Total

Published pick: Unavailable

#MichiganWolverines#USCTrojans

Share this preview

Facebook X Reddit Email
SportsJaw logo
Written by

SportsJaw Editorial Team

SportsJaw published this archived preview from its original game-day article. Its prediction and quoted lines are preserved as written.

About our editorial process

SportsJaw Wolverines vs Trojans archived game preview contains historical odds and availability that may no longer be current. View history of past Wolverines vs Trojans matchups or learn how our predictions work.

Current matchup data

Lines, trends and availability

Line movement since open

  • Moneyline · Michigan Wolverines-240 → -235Moved
  • Moneyline · USC Trojans+194 → +193Moved
  • Spread · Michigan Wolverines-6 (-110) → -5.5 (-110)Moved
  • Spread · USC Trojans+6 (-110) → +5.5 (-110)Moved
  • Total · Over151.5 (-110) → 152 (-110)Moved
  • Total · Under151.5 (-110) → 152 (-110)Moved

ATS and O/U trends

Michigan Wolverines
37-3 matchup record · 6-4-0 ATS · 5-5-0 O/U
Last 10 completed games on file
USC Trojans
18-14 matchup record · 3-7-0 ATS · 7-3-0 O/U
Last 10 completed games on file

Injuries and availability

From the published research (2025-01-04T19:21:27.533Z). Availability may have changed; review the cited sources.

The USC Trojans are coming off a strong performance in their last game, where they defeated Southern with a commanding lead. They enter this matchup with a 9-4 overall record and are looking to build on their recent success. The team is led by Chibuzo Agbo, who scored 18 points in their previous win. USC has solid offensive and defensive stats, ranking 159th in scoring offense and 109th in points allowed per game. Terrance Williams II, Desmond Claude, and Josh Cohen provide consistent scoring for the team. USC shoots well from the field and the free-throw line, and also excels in three-point shooting. Despite Williams II being out with a back injury, the Trojans remain a strong contender. In terms of sports wagering, USC has a power ranking of 17 and has shown a strong performance against Michigan in their recent matchups. With their well-rounded team and strong stats, the Trojans are looking to continue their success in upcoming games.

Recent head-to-head

No completed head-to-head result is available in the current history window.

Final result

Matchup pick recap

Michigan Wolverines defeated USC Trojans 85-74

Michigan Wolverines defeated USC Trojans 85-74 on January 4, 2025, a 11-point decision in the series. Michigan Wolverines' strongest period was the 2nd half, when it outscored its opponent 43-36. Against SportsJaw's recorded Michigan Wolverines -5.5 (-110) spread, Michigan Wolverines covered, while the 159 combined points finished over the recorded total of 152.

SportsJaw editorial picks

  • Projected winnerNo published selectionUnavailable

Tipster picks

  • VegaspatSpread · Michigan Wolverines -4.75 (-110)Win