USC vs. Colorado prediction and odds for Thursday, February 23

The USC Trojans had a nice week down in southern California. They pounded Cal on Thursday, 97-60 and then on Saturday took care of business against Stanford with a 10-point win.

They are up to third in the Pac 12 at 19-8 (11-5). Now they have one of the toughest test in the Conference of Champions. It’s not going against the champion of the conference, but against the 15-13 (7-10) Colorado Buffaloes.

Traveling to Boulder isn’t easy for anyone even though USC beat Colorado earlier this year.

Colorado is a slight home favorite in this one.

USC vs. Colorado odds, spread and total

USC vs. Colorado prediction and pick

It’s just so hard to go up into the elevation in Boulder and come out with a win.

This is a painfully mediocre Colorado team with a few bright spots in KJ Simpson and Tristan da Silva, but at home, they’re 11-2 and so tough to beat.

Their leading scorer, da Silva, is a big reason why, because he averages 20.3 points at home, but just 13.1 on the road. He also shoots 58.4% from the field in home games compared to 44.2 on the road. His 3-point shooting is 48% at home, 35.2% on the road.

USC’s defense is very strong especially inside the 3-point arc where it allows its opponents to shoot just 42.3% from two, which is second best in the nation.

I don’t know that the Trojans will be able to set up that defense much because at home Colorado likes to run and it often tires out its opponents.

USC really only goes seven guys deep and that’s a problem in the thin air.