Northwestern Wildcats vs USC Trojans Picks and Predictions for Wednesday, January 21, 2026
Use Code WWWC The Northwestern Wildcats will be back on the road Wednesday night with an 11:00 PM match-up inside the Galen Center in Los Angeles, CA, against the USC Trojans, and we have you ready to roll with our Northwestern vs USC prediction. The Northwestern Wildcats have eight wins and 10 losses and are currently winless in conference play. USC has 14 wins and 4 losses this season, 1 game below .500 in the Big 10. Northwestern comes into this matchup on a long losing streak, following a 19-point home loss to Nebraska in its last outing. USC comes into Wednesday having lost three of the last five, including a 5-point home loss to Purdue last time out to end a 2-game winning streak. Read more about this Northwestern vs USC prediction! Struggling with handicapping? Try our NCAAB Predictions!
Northwestern tries to end woes
The Northwestern Wildcats have averaged 77.3 points per game this season on 47% shooting from the floor, but have averaged 69 points per game during their last five losses. Defensively, the Wildcats are allowing 71.9 points per game this season and have given up an average of 78.6 points per game during their last five outings. Northwestern was severely outmatched in its last home game against Nebraska, allowing 77 points, including 43 in the second half. The Cornhuskers shot 51% from the floor and 42% from beyond the arc after knocking down 11 triples in the game. Offensively, Northwestern scored 29 points in each half on 43% shooting from the floor and 36% from beyond the arc. Wildcats did win the rebounding battle by two, but turned the ball over 11 times in the loss. Nick Martinelli led the way for the Northwestern offense last time out as one of two starters in double digits with 22 points on 20 shots and 38 minutes. Tre Singleton was second on the team with 14 points and 36 minutes. The other three Northwestern starters combined to score 9 total points.
Nick Martinelli leads the Northwestern offense this season, averaging 23.7 points and 6.8 rebounds per game. Big man Arrinten Page is second on the team this season, averaging 12.8 points per game. Jayden Reid averages 11.6 points to go along with the team-leading 5.4 assists per game. Tre Singleton is 4th on the Northwestern roster, averaging 7.4 points in just under 25 minutes per game.
Key Injury Report for Northwestern:
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- Cade Bennerman (Questionable) - Undisclosed
USC looks to get back rolling
The USC offense has carried the team this season, averaging 83.4 points on 47% shooting from the floor, but the Trojans have averaged 66.3 points per game over their last three losses. Defensively, USC is allowing 75.8 points per game this season and has given up an average of 81.6 points per game over its last three defeats. Offensively, USC was mediocre in its last outing against Purdue, scoring 64 points after 32 in each half on 46% shooting, but the Trojans shot just 15% from beyond the arc. Defensively, USC was outmatched, giving up 69 points on 42% shooting, and Purdue knocked down 7 triples. USC did win the rebounding battle by 8, but turned the ball over 13 times in the loss. Jacob Cofie led the way for the USC starters with 13 points on nine shots in 35 minutes. Ezra Ausar was the second USC starter in double digits with 11 points in 24 minutes. Chad Baker-Mazara led all USC players with 15 points on 17 shots and 33 minutes of action.
Chad Maker-Mazara leads the USC offense this season, averaging 18.9 points and 3.2 assists per game. Rodney Rice has averaged 20.3 points per game this season for the Trojans, but has played just six times. Ezra Ausar averages 16.1 points, good enough for 3rd on the roster. Jacob Cofie is 4th on the team, averaging 10 points to go along with the team’s leading 6.8 rebounds per game.
Key Injury Report for USC:
- Jerry Easter (Questionable) - Undisclosed
- Amarion Dickerson (Out) - Hip
- Rodney Rice (Out) - Shoulder
- Alijah Arenas (Knee) - Probable
Northwestern vs USC Pick
- Northwestern vs USC Spread Pick
USC is the better team in this matchup and will get back to its winning ways on Wednesday night. Expect the Trojans to use their edge on the offensive end in front of their home fans on Wednesday against a struggling Northwestern team. USC will have no trouble against a struggling Northwestern team, leading to the easy victory. Take USC to get back to their winning ways, they pick up the winning cover at home for their 15th win of the season and 4th in conference.
- Northwestern vs USC Over/Under Pick
Both teams score the ball well, as each averages well above 70 points per game this season. Northwestern, however, has struggled immensely on offense over its last few games, and that will continue on Wednesday. Look for the Trojans to stifle Northwestern from the opening tip, leading to the victory. Take USC to control this game start to finish Wednesday night, leading to the easy win and cover. The Trojans will get the job done and lead to the victory, but the total will go under as Northwestern continues their offensive struggles on Wednesday night on the road.
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