USC Trojans vs. Michigan Wolverines Picks, Prediction, Odds and Line Movement for Friday, January 2, 2026
It’s a Big Ten contest on the hardwood as the #24 USC Trojans travel to the Great Lakes State to battle the #2 Michigan Wolverines Friday afternoon and we have you covered with our USC vs. Michigan prediction. USC cruised to a 102-63 win over UC Santa Cruz at home December 21 in their previous contest in a game with no posted line. Michigan trounced McNeese 112-71 at home Monday night in their previous game, covering the line as a 24-point favorite. In the all-time series between the teams, the Wolverines took the lone previous matchup, 85-74, on the road January 4, 2025. Read more about this USC vs. Michigan prediction! Struggling with handicapping? Try our NCAAB Predictions!
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USC Seeking to Earn Fifth Straight Win
USC ran their win streak to four as they trounced UC Santa Cruz at home in their final game before the holiday break. The Trojans improved to 12-1 overall and sit 1-1 in Big Ten play as they head on the road here. Against UC Santa Cruz, USC trailed 15-14 with 11:58 to play in the first half before outscoring the Banana Slugs 31-11 the rest of the half to lead by 19 at the half. The Trojans cruised from there, leading by as many as 48 en route to the win. USC shot 56.3% from the floor, including three of 15 from three-point range, and dominated the glass by a 53-15 margin. Gabe Dynes led the Trojans with 16 points, five rebounds and four blocks in the win.
The Trojans average 89.4 points per game on the season, putting them 24th in the nation in scoring offense. USC comes into this one grabbing 38.1 rebounds a night (123rd) while they dish out 17.4 assists a night. The Trojans are below average on the defensive end of the floor, ranking 235th by allowing 75.3 points per game this season. Chad Baker-Mazara is one of four players in double figures as he puts up 21 points and 5.5 rebounds a game this season. Rodney Rice (20.3 points, 3.3 rebounds, six assists) and Ezra Ausar (17.1 points, 5.8 boards) provide solid secondary scoring. Jacob Cofie (10.6 points, 6.7 rebounds, Amarion Dickerson, Jaden Brownell, Jordan Marsh, Gabe Dynes, Terrance Williams II and Jerry Easter II are all averaging solid minutes for coach Eric Musselman this season. USC shoots 49.5% from the field as a team this season, putting them 39th in the nation. The Trojans drill 7.4 three-pointers per game while shooting 36.5% from beyond the arc. USC is above average at the line as they shoot 73.6% at the stripe as a team this season, which is 119th in Division I.
Key Injury Report for USC:
- Guard Rodney Rice (shoulder) is out for the year.
- Guard Amarion Dickerson (hip) is out.
Wolverines Shooting to Maintain Perfect Mark
Michigan obliterated McNeese at home Monday night for their sixth win by at least 40 points on the year, setting a Big Ten record in the process. The Wolverines improved to 12-0 overall and are 2-0 in Big Ten play entering this contest. Against McNeese, Michigan jumped in front 7-0 and coasted the rest of the way to the win. The Wolverines were up 60-29 at the half and led by as many as 52 en route to the victory. Michigan shot 58.7% from the floor, including seven of 23 from beyond the arc, and controlled the glass by a 55-32 margin. Morez Johnson Jr. led the Wolverines with 24 points and 11 rebounds in the win.
The Wolverines are 3rd in the nation in scoring offense as they put up an average of 96.8 points per game on the season. Michigan grabs an average of 45 rebounds per contest on the season while ranking 2nd in assists by dishing out 21.6 dimes a night. The Wolverines are above average on the defensive end of the floor, ranking 47th in the nation in scoring defense by allowing 66.5 points per contest. Yaxel Lendeborg leads the Wolverines as he puts up 15.7 points and 7.2 rebounds a night this season. Roddy Gayle Jr. (10.3 points, 3.8 rebounds) and Morez Johnson Jr. (13.6 points, 6.8 rebounds) are solid secondary scoring options. Trey McKenney (10.8 points), Aday Mara (10.9 points, 8.3 rebounds), Nimari Burnett, Elliott Cadeau, L.J. Cason, Will Tschetter, Winters Grady and Oscar Goodman have to contribute for coach Dusty May. Michigan shoots 53.6% from the field as a team this season, putting them 2nd in Division I. The Wolverines drain an average of 10.5 three-pointers a night while shooting 38.3% from beyond the arc on the year. Michigan is average at the free throw line this season, hitting 71.2% of their attempts at the line, putting them 193rd in the country.
Key Injury Report for Michigan:
- No Key Injuries
USC vs. Michigan Pick
| # | Handicapper | Profit |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |  Tony Karpinski | +2,494.00 |
| 2 |  Joe Duffy | +1,859.00 |
| 3 |  The Insiders Room | +1,788.00 |
| 4 |  Mark Ruelle | +1,428.00 |
| 5 |  Jackie Mack | +1,400.00 |
USC vs. Michigan Spread Pick
- Michigan (4 units)
While USC is an explosive offensive team, they’re facing an elite squad in the Wolverines, on the road no less. The Trojans are missing Rice, who was putting up big numbers before he was lost for the year. You need all hands on deck to try and keep up with Michigan’s talent and depth. Michigan owns nine wins by at least 25 points already this season and hasn’t had a true home game decided by less than 28 points. The Trojans are 2-0 on the road but beating Oregon by five and San Diego by 13 doesn’t prepare you for Ann Arbor and this Wolverines squad. Take Michigan in this contest as they remain unbeaten.
USC vs. Michigan Over/Under Pick
- Over (4 units)
USC enters this contest having seen the over post an 8-4 mark in their 12 games this season. The Trojans are 24th in the nation in scoring offense, 39th in offensive efficiency, 131st in turnover percentage (16.6%), 1st in free throw rate (.533 FT attempts per FG attempt) and 1st in free throws made (22.9) and attempted (31.2) per contest. USC is a run and gun team, ranking 53rd in adjusted tempo with 71.8 possessions a night according to KenPom. Michigan has seen the under post a 6-6 mark in their 12 games on the year. The Wolverines are first in defensive efficiency, third in effective field goal percentage defense (40.5%), first in field goal percentage defense (34.6%), first in two-point defense (38.2%) and third in the nation in rebounding. Michigan is 7th in tempo with 75.1 possessions a night. The Wolverines have been held under 85 points just once this season and USC can’t keep them in check either. Take the over in this contest as a result.
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