These are two of the best teams in college basketball. Legitimately, this could even be a national championship preview.
Both USC and Notre Dame are 4-0, and largely untested, outside of the Trojans season opener against Ole Miss. Otherwise, USC and Notre Dame have won all their games by at least 30 points, often by a lot more.
Here’s my Notre Dame vs. USC predictions and college basketball picks for Saturday, November 23.
Notre Dame vs USC Prediction
My Pick: Under 154.5
My Notre Dame vs. USC best bet is under 154.5 on the total, with the best odds currently available at FanDuel. For all of your college basketball bets, be sure to find the best lines by using our live NCAAB odds page.
Notre Dame vs USC Odds
| Notre Dame (W) Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
+6.5 -110 | 154.5 -110/-110 | +225 |
| USC (W) Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
-6.5 -110 | 154.5 -110/-110 | -280 |
- Notre Dame vs. USC spread: USC -6.5
- Notre Dame vs. USC over/under: 154.5 points
- Notre Dame vs. USC moneyline: Notre Dame +225, USC -280
- Notre Dame vs. USC best bet: Under 154.5
Spread
The spread feels like it's going to be a sweat all game long — or at least, it should be. USC is actually just 2-2 against the spread, having not covered against Ole Miss or Cal Poly, the latter of whom they defeated by 31 points. The spread was 39.5. Notre Dame's most narrow win is by 44, making this by far their biggest test. If this is anything like what became a slugfest between USC and Ole Miss, Notre Dame should cover.
Moneyline
Notre Dame or nothing here, unless you want USC in a parlay leg. I lean USC should win, but don't love taking them to cover -6.5, so I think putting them in a parlay could be worthwhile. But straight up by itself, the moneyline is only worth it if Notre Dame catches your eye.
Over/Under
I like the under here. I think both high-powered offenses will be slowed down a bit given each other's competition. USC has only had one game go over 154.5 this season given their blowout wins, and in that game, they scored 124 points. Notre Dame has gone over twice, and although they haven't scored fewer than 91 points, USC is way better than anyone they've seen.
My Pick: Under 154.5
Notre Dame vs USC Women's College Basketball Betting Preview
Notre Dame Basketball
Notre Dame is, of course, one of the best teams in the country. Part of me wanted to take them to cover +6.5. Hannah Hidalgo returns as a First-Team All-American in her freshman season, and with likely top five WNBA draft pick Olivia Miles, the two form one of the best backcourt in the country. Hidalgo is averaging 25.0 points and 5.3 steals per game so far this season, with Miles adding 18.3 points, 8.0 rebounds and 6.8 assists per contest. Liatu King is at nearly 18 and 10 per game, with Kate Koval at about 13 and 13 with 5.5 blocks per game.
Of course, these are beefed up by a weak schedule, but make no mistake, this is a team that could get to the Final Four in March.
USC Basketball
USC, of course, is led by future WNBA No. 1 overall pick JuJu Watkins. The superstar sophomore is averaging 21.5 points, 6.3 rebounds, 4.8 assists, 3.8 steals and 3.0 blocks per game through four games this season. Watkins' primary running mate is Kiki Iriafen, who is widely projected the No. 2 pick in the 2025 WNBA Draft after UConn's Paige Bueckers. Iriafen is at 17.3 points and 7.5 rebounds are game.
Both Watkins and Iriafen's numbers are down from last year, but you know, garbage time. Expect heavy minutes if this game is as close as many think.
Notre Dame vs. USC Betting Analysis
As noted earlier, to me, this is a bet on each team seeing their best competition and thus, not being able to just walk into an easy 90 or so points. A 75-72 ish final is about what I'd expect — or something in that area — and even that would be several points off the total.
Pick: Under 154.5
