The USC Trojans take on the Maryland Terrapins in College Park, Maryland. Tip-off is set for 8:30 p.m. ET on FS1.
Maryland is favored by 12 points on the spread with a moneyline of -750. The total is set at 154 points.
Here are my USC vs. Maryland predictions and college basketball picks for February 20, 2025.
USC vs Maryland Prediction
My Pick: Maryland -10.5 (Play to -14.5)
My USC vs Maryland best bet is on the Terps spread, with the best odds currently available at DraftKings. For all of your college basketball bets, be sure to find the best lines by using our live NCAAB odds page.
USC vs Maryland Odds, Lines
| USC Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
+12 -110 | 154 -110o / -110u | +525 |
| Maryland Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
-12 -110 | 154 -110o / -110u | -750 |
- USC vs Maryland spread: Maryland -12
- USC vs Maryland over/under: 154 points
- USC vs Maryland moneyline: Maryland -750, USC +525
- USC vs Maryland best bet: Maryland -10.5 (Play to -14.5)
My USC vs Maryland NCAAB Betting Preview
No. 20 Maryland and USC hit the hardwood for their first matchup since 1990.
Maryland is picking up steam after winning seven of its last eight games, including a 101-75 rout over Iowa. The Terrapins are 15-1 at home, with the lone loss coming against then-No. 15 Marquette on Nov. 15.
Meanwhile, USC is struggling in its first season in the Big Ten and has dropped three of its last four games.
Maryland features a balanced offensive attack that's third in the Big Ten in points per game at 83.5. The Terrapins have five players averaging at least 12 points per game, led by center Derik Queen (16.0) and Ja'Kobi Gillespie (14.7).
USC will have trouble combatting that offensive versatility. The Trojans rank 13th in the Big Ten in points per game allowed at 72.9.
Maryland will also thwart USC's offense, which is anchored by guard Desmond Claude (16 PPG, 4.4 APG). The Terrapins rank second in the conference in points per game allowed (67.2) and are fifth in field goal percentage (41.8%) and 3-point percentage (31.1%).
Chibuzo Agbo and Wesley Yates III both had three 3-pointers for the Trojans in their loss to Minnesota. Maryland will place an emphasis on perimeter defense to make sure both players are kept in check.
Maryland will take advantage of USC's rebounding woes. The Trojans are last in the Big Ten in rebounds per game at 31.5. The Terrapins, meanwhile, rank fourth in the conference in rebounds (37.1) and have a pair of players in Queen and Julian Reese who average over eight rebounds.
USC has proven capable of upsets, knocking off then-No. 13 Illinois and then-No. 7 Michigan State earlier this season.
However, Maryland is simply too dominant in College Park and will cover the spread for a fourth consecutive victory.
