The Utah Utes (15-9) aim to land a solid win on the road against the USC Trojans (9-15) on Thursday, February 15 at 11:00 PM ET at the Galen Center in Los Angeles, California. The Trojans are slight favorites to find success, as their point spread is coming in at -1.5 (-110).

The Utes are 1-4 in their last five games and need to find consistency. They have lost their last two straight battles, with their most recent one being an 85-77 outing against the Arizona State Sun Devils.

Branden Carlson leads the team with 17.0 points and 7.0 rebounds a game. He is also connecting on 47.1 percent shooting from the floor and is only making 69.2 percent of his foul shots.

The Utes maintain a steady scoring average of 79.2 points per game, boasting a 47.0 percent success rate in field goals. Their effective collaboration is highlighted by an average of 17.7 assists per game, elevating their scoring chances.

Defensively, they permit 73.2 points, resulting in a favorable point differential compared to their offensive performance. Key statistics encompass 39.6 rebounds, 4.5 blocks, and 6.3 steals per game.

The Trojans have also gone 1-4 in their previous five encounters and are currently on a two-game losing streak. Their most recent defeat was a 99-68 blowout against the Stanford Cardinal.

Boogie Ellis will need to have a standout performance. He currently leads them in scoring with 16.4 points per game. He is also shooting 42.9 percent from the field and 76.3 percent from the foul line.

The Trojans consistently score an average of 74.4 points per game, demonstrating an impressive 44.7 percent shooting accuracy. To enhance their offensive capabilities, they should concentrate on improving ball movement, currently averaging 15.7 assists per game, slightly lower than the Utes'.

On the defensive end, they limit opponents to an average of 75.3 points per game, showcasing a slightly negative margin. Additionally, they excel in various aspects of the game, averaging 35.7 rebounds, 5.3 blocks, and 6.6 steals per game, highlighting their versatile ability to disrupt opposing teams.

MyBookie offers the betting odds for this college basketball betting opportunity, with the USC Trojans as 1.5-point favorites. However, they only have a 47.2 percent chance at success according to market analysis.

Despite both teams’ recent struggles, the Utes appear to be a little more appealing on paper. The Trojans typically allow more points than they score, which does not bode well for their chances at winning. Look for the Utes to cover the spread as an appealing underdog here.