Washington State Cougars vs USC Trojans Prediction and Picks - December 14, 2025
It's the WCC vs the Big 10 college hoops action on Sunday evening, and we have a Washington State vs USC prediction locked and loaded for you. Washington State enters this contest off a 78-64 home loss to Nevada and are now at 3-7 on the year. The Trojans come in at 9-1 on the year and they are 94-81 road win over San Diego. These teams last met in 2024 and the Cougars won both meetings. Continue reading to see our Washington State vs USC prediction.
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Washington State Falls Big To Nevada
Washington State’s most recent game was a 78–64 home loss to Nevada on December 7, where Tomas Thrastarson led the Cougars with 20 points on 7-of-10 shooting. ND Okafor added eight rebounds, but the team shot just 39% overall and 29% from three, while committing 14 turnovers. The defeat marked their fourth straight loss and dropped them to 3–7 on the season.
Offensively, the Cougars average 76.7 points per game while shooting 46.7% from the field, ranking 246th nationally. Freshman guard Ace Glass III has been the team’s leading scorer at 16.6 points per game, showing flashes of star potential with his ability to attack off the dribble and knock down free throws at a 94.7% clip. Thrastarson has emerged as a secondary option, averaging 10.4 points, while Eemeli Yalaho and ND Okafor provide interior scoring and rebounding. The Cougars’ biggest issue has been ball security, as they average 13.3 turnovers per game, often stalling momentum in close contests.
Defensively, Washington State has struggled, allowing opponents to score 79.6 points per game on 48.9% shooting. Their perimeter defense has been particularly vulnerable, giving up 37.8% from three, which ranks near the bottom nationally. Okafor and Emmanuel Ugbo have been the most reliable rebounders, but the Cougars’ lack of rim protection (just 3.3 blocks per game) has left them exposed against bigger frontcourts. Heading into USC, the Cougars will need Glass and Thrastarson to carry the scoring load while finding ways to slow down the Trojans’ high-powered offense.
Baker-Mazara Leads The Trojan Over San Diego
USC’s most recent game was a 94–81 road win over San Diego on December 9, highlighted by Chad Baker-Mazara’s 31 points and six assists. Ezra Ausar chipped in 17 points and seven rebounds, while the Trojans shot 52% from the field and knocked down 10 threes. The victory improved USC to 9–1 on the season, bouncing back from their lone loss to Washington three days earlier.
Offensively, USC has been one of the most explosive teams in the country, averaging 89.5 points per game (20th nationally). Baker-Mazara leads the way at 21.9 points per game, shooting nearly 48% from the field and 40.9% from three. Rodney Rice has been equally dynamic, averaging 20.3 points and six assists, giving the Trojans a potent backcourt duo. Ausar adds balance in the frontcourt with 17.2 points and 5.7 rebounds per game, while Jacob Cofie provides size and rebounding at 6.8 boards per contest. The Trojans excel at getting to the line, averaging 23 made free throws per game, which ranks second nationally.
Defensively, USC allows 78.5 points per game, but opponents shoot just 41.4% overall and 29.5% from three. Their length and athleticism have helped them force 15 takeaways, ranking among the top teams nationally. Injuries have been a factor, with Amarion Dickerson sidelined by a hip injury and Rodney Rice questionable with a shoulder issue. Still, the Trojans’ depth has carried them, with Baker-Mazara and Ausar consistently stepping up. Against Washington State, USC’s offensive firepower and ability to control the glass should give them a decisive edge at home.
Washington State vs USC 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 |
Washington State vs USC Spread Pick
- USC -14.5 (5 Units)
USC -14.5 looks like the right side given how explosive the Trojans have been and how much Washington State has struggled to keep games competitive. USC is coming off a 94–81 win over San Diego on December 9, where Chad Baker-Mazara poured in 31 points and Rodney Rice added 20 with six assists. The Trojans average 89.5 points per game, ranking among the top 20 nationally, and they’ve got multiple scoring options with Baker-Mazara, Rice, and Ezra Ausar all capable of taking over. They also dominate the glass, pulling down 37.4 rebounds per game, and their ability to get to the free-throw line consistently (23 made per game, 2nd nationally) makes them tough to slow down. At home, with their offense firing on all cylinders, USC has the firepower to cover a big number.
On the other side, Washington State is coming off a 78–64 loss to Nevada on December 7, where Tomas Thrastarson scored 20 points but the Cougars shot just 39% from the field. Wazzu averages 76.7 points per game, but they’ve been porous defensively, allowing opponents to score 79.6 points per game on nearly 49% shooting. Freshman Ace Glass III has been their top scorer at 16.6 points per game, but the supporting cast has been inconsistent, and the Cougars rank near the bottom nationally in turnovers (13.3 per game) and three-point defense (37.8% allowed). Against USC’s depth and offensive efficiency, Washington State’s defensive issues are likely to be exposed. With the Trojans surging and the Cougars reeling, laying the -14.5 looks justified.
Washington State vs USC Over/Under Pick
- Over 158 (4 Units)
The Over 158 makes sense in Washington State–USC given how both teams play and the numbers they’ve been putting up. USC is coming off a 94–81 win over San Diego on December 9, where Chad Baker-Mazara dropped 31 points and Rodney Rice added 20 with six assists【ESPN】. The Trojans average 89.5 points per game, ranking among the top 20 nationally, and they’ve got multiple scorers capable of pushing the pace. Washington State, despite a 78–64 loss to Nevada on December 7, still averages 76.7 points per game and leans heavily on freshman Ace Glass III and Tomas Thrastarson to generate offense【ESPN】. The Cougars also allow nearly 80 points per game, which lines up perfectly with USC’s high-octane attack. With the Trojans likely to push into the 90s and Washington State able to chip in enough behind their guards, this matchup sets up well for the Over 158 to hit.
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