UConn vs USC Women’s Elite Eight Prediction & Picks: Will Bueckers and the Huskies Deny the Trojans?

While the LSU-Iowa matchup is the headliner of tonight’s women’s Elite Eight games, the other matchup is certainly nothing to scoff at. In the Portland 3 regional final, Paige Bueckers and third-seeded UConn will take on JuJu Watkins and #1 USC (9:00 pm ET, ESPN).

The Huskies (32-5) are back in a regional final a year their run of 16 straight Elite Eight and 14 straight Final Four appearances ended with a Sweet Sixteen loss to Ohio State.

On the other side, USC (29-5) is in the Elite Eight for the first time since 1994, the most recent of their seven appearances.

That year, the Huskies made their second Elite Eight appearance. Since then, UConn has become the preeminent program in women’s college basketball, reaching the Elite Eight 26 times (missing only in 1999, 2005, and last year), the Final Four 21 times, and winning 11 national championships.

However, the Huskies have come up empty since 2016, and to have a chance to potentially end that drought next weekend in Cleveland, UConn has to get past the Trojans and Watkins, who is averaging 27.0 PPG, 7.3 RPG, 4.3 APG, 2.7 BPG, and 1.7 SPG in her first NCAA Tournament.

UConn vs USC Odds

Odds are via BetOnline, a longtime fixture in the sports betting industry. Check out our BetOnline sportsbook review, then grab yourself a nice sign-up bonus to bet on the men’s and women’s NCAA Tournaments.

Spread

• UConn -3.5 (-110)
• USC +3.5 (-110)

Over/Under

• Over 135 (-115)
• Under 135 (-105)

Moneyline

• UConn -170
• USC +150

Looking for more college basketball picks? Our NCAA basketball picks page features moneyline, spread, and total (over/under) picks for the NIT semifinals.

UConn vs USC Prediction & Picks

As was the case each of the previous two seasons, injuries have played a pivotal part in UConn’s season.

But despite losing Caroline Ducharme, Azzi Fudd, and Aubrey Griffin, the Huskies are back in a familiar spot.

Depth may have taken a big hit, but this is still a very talented team. Having a healthy Bueckers has gone a long, long way.

For the first time in her four years at UConn, she has played in every game of the season. And when it matters most,, she is delivering as superstars are expected to do. In three games, she has averaged 28.0 PPG, 8.7 RPG, 4.7 APG, and 3.3 SPG.

UConn needed all of her 24 points in Saturday’s scrappy 53-45 win over Duke. The Huskies shot only 40% from the field and 18.8% from three but survived a potential upset thanks to Bueckers and a standout team performance on defense.

UConn vs USC Players to Watch

UConn

• Paige Bueckers: 21.9 PPG, 5.1 RPG, 3.8 APG, 2.2 SPG, 1.4 BPG, 53.6% FG, 41.5% 3PT
• Aaliyah Edwards: 17.9 PPG, 9.3 RPG, 2.1 APG, 1.6 SPG, 59.7% FG
• Ashlynn Shade: 11.4 PPG, 3.3 RPG, 1.5 APG
• KK Arnold: 8.9 PPG, 3.2 APG, 3.1 RPG, 2.3 SPG
• Nika Muhl: 6.8 PPG, 6.4 APG, 3.9 RPG

USC

• JuJu Watkins: 27.0 PPG, 7.2 RPG, 3.3 APG, 2.3 SPG, 1.6 BPG
• McKenzie Forbes: 14.0 PPG, 3.3 APG, 3.1 APG
• Rayah Marshall: 10.2 PPG, 10.5 RPG, 2.1 BPG, 1.5 APG
• Kayla Padilla: 8.0 PPG, 2.6 APG, 1.9 RPG, 44.1% 3PT
• Kaitlyn Davis: 6.1 PPG, 5.7 RPG, 1.8 APG

Ultimately, that defense is what I think will carry them to a regional final win tonight in Portland.

Duke had 23 turnovers against UConn, with 14 coming on steals (led by Arnold’s five). UConn now has 32 steals in three NCAA Tournament games, and their opponents (#14 Jackson State, #6 Syracuse, and #7 Duke) have turned the ball over 55 times.

UConn certainly hasn’t been forgotten this season, but looking mortal in non-conference play, being in a weaker conference compared to the likes of Iowa and USC, and the success of other teams and players have all resulted in far less noise than we’re accustomed to hearing about the Huskies.

Tonight will serve as a reminder that they haven’t gone anywhere and are still one of the beasts of women’s college basketball. A lot of success at this stage is ahead for Watkins and the Trojans, but tonight will be a moment for the program that still remains the standard.

UConn vs USC Prediction: UConn to win and cover

UConn vs USC Betting Picks: UConn -3.5 & UConn/USC over 135

More March Madness Betting Information

Where Can You Bet on March Madness This Year?

Each year, millions upon of millions of March Madness bets are placed at the top online sports betting sites.

Most March Madness betting takes place around and at tournament time, which is from mid-March to early April. But throughout the year, you can bet on who you think will win the college basketball national championship.

Along with men’s college basketball odds, most good sportsbooks now carry women’s college basketball national championship odds. Those odds are drawing a lot of attention with the likes of South Carolina, Iowa, and LSU vying to cut down the nets in Cleveland, Ohio on April 7.

Numerous sportsbooks are good for March Madness betting, but in addition to BetOnline, here are some of the books that we have reviewed and highly recommend:

• BetDSI (Review)
• BetUS (Review)
• Bovada (Review)
• MyBookie (Review)

If you are unfamiliar with any of the above sites, check out our sportsbook reviews to learn more about them. Speaking of offers, keep an eye on the latest sportsbook offers from these books and others as the countdown to the opening tip of March Madness continues. That way, you will not miss out on any special sports betting promos and bonuses to pad your bankroll for March Madness betting.

Other March Madness Content at Betting News

If you like this UConn vs USC women’s basketball betting breakdown and would like to check out our other March Madness content, our March Madness guide is where you can find it all in one tidy place. But here’s a rundown of some of what we have put together to help you with your NCAA Tournament betting this year.

We’re also covering the 2024 NIT, so check out that content as well.

• Men’s March Madness Futures Odds
• Women’s March Madness Futures Odds
• 2024 Men’s Final Four Odds
• Six Men’s March Madness Sleepers for 2024
• Best March Madness Betting Tips & Strategies
• Where to Find the Best March Madness Betting Picks
• Best March Madness Betting Sites for This Year
• This Year’s Best March Madness Bracket Challenges
• Betting News Bracket Mania (Our FREE March Madness Bracket Challenge!)

Interested in Learning More About Betting on March Madness & NCAA Basketball?

If you are interested in learning more about betting on men’s or women’s NCAA basketball, check out our college basketball betting guide. It covers the basics of wagering on March Madness, the Mountain West, the MAAC, McNeese State, and beyond.

• College Basketball Betting Guide: How to Bet on NCAA Basketball in 2024

Also, follow Betting News on X/Twitter, Twitch, and TikTok to get more March Madness and NCAA basketball insight from myself and the rest of our team. We’re cooking up a lot of great NCAA Tournament content for both the men’s and women’s tournaments, so hit those links so you don’t miss out on any of it.

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