Quick Picks with Coach Rick Bowe, CBB Picks, CBB Free Picks, CBB Predictions 2/3/26

Quick Picks with Coach Rick Bowe, CBB Picks, CBB Free Picks, CBB Predictions 2/3/26

INDIANA @ USC (USC -1.5, 153.5)

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COACH RICK CBB PREVIEWS

HOOSIERS @ TROJANS 2/3/26

The Indiana Hoosiers (15-7) travel to Los Angeles to take on the USC Trojans (16-6) in a high-stakes Big Ten clash tonight. This matchup features two teams trending in opposite directions in terms of efficiency metrics, with Indiana boasting a top-20 offensive profile while USC relies on a top-50 defensive unit and a knack for winning close contests.

Indiana enters this game as a slight road underdog after opening as a 1.5-point favorite. The advanced metrics suggest the Hoosiers are the superior team on a neutral floor. BartTorvik ranks Indiana as the #20 team in the country, significantly higher than USC at #57. The Hoosiers' offensive efficiency is elite, ranking 13th nationally with an Adjusted Offensive Efficiency of 124.3. They excel at finishing inside, ranking 15th in the country in two-point field goal percentage (60.2%).

USC is 16-6 overall this season, but has been the beneficiary of extreme luck or performance in close games. The Trojans are 5-0 in close games, which often suggests a regression is coming. Indiana’s ability to share the ball—ranking 7th in the nation in Assist Rate (65.6%)—should allow them to find cracks in a USC defense that, while good (45th in KenPom DRtg), can be vulnerable to high-level ball movement.

The Hoosiers have shown they can compete with elite competition, and their statistical profile is much more robust than USC's. Indiana's Effective Field Goal percentage (eFG%) of 57.1% ranks 24th in the nation, providing a significant edge over USC’s 53.0% (112th).

A key factor in this game will be Indiana's perimeter shooting versus USC's perimeter defense. Indiana ranks 67th in three-point percentage (36.1%), while USC’s defense is excellent at defending the arc (30th, 29.6%). However, Indiana's three-point rate is 13th in the country, meaning they will force USC to defend the entire floor. If Lamar Wilkerson (42.4% 3PT FG%) and Tucker DeVries (46 made threes) can find their rhythm, USC will have a tough time tonight.

Both teams have offenses that can score, but totals bettors might consider the Under in this game. Indiana plays at a relatively average tempo (68.0, 168th in Adj. Tempo), and USC is only slightly faster (70.4, 60th). More importantly, both teams possess top-50 defenses according to KenPom (Indiana 48th, USC 45th).

USC’s defense is particularly elite at protecting the rim, ranking 8th nationally in Block Percentage (16.0%). This will challenge Indiana’s primary strength of scoring inside the arc. Furthermore, USC struggles with turnovers (206th in TO%), which often leads to stalled possessions rather than quick transition buckets. In a high-stakes conference game, expect the intensity to ramp up on the defensive end.

The Hoosiers have integrated key transfers like Lamar Wilkerson and Tucker DeVries seamlessly. Wilkerson has been a revelation, posting an 124.4 Offensive Rating and shooting a blistering 42.4% from deep. DeVries provides a secondary scoring punch and veteran leadership that is critical in road environments.

The Trojans will rely heavily on Ezra Ausar and Jacob Cofie to anchor the paint. Ausar is a high-usage player (26.4% Usg) who draws fouls at an elite rate (98.6 FTR). That could put Indiana's frontcourt in early foul trouble.

The two teams met last year in Indiana. The Hoosiers won easily, 82-69, as 6.5-point favorites. Indiana is 3-4 SU in true road games this season. USC is 8-3 SU at home this season. The Trojans have won 14 of their last 20 games and they are 5-2 ATS in their last seven.

Get free CBB Picks and CBB Predictions for the top games on the weekly 2026 CBB schedule from the YLose.com  crew, one of the industry's largest networks of premier expert CBB handicappers. YLose.com has been bringing the CBB betting community the best CBB free picks and predictions for nearly three decades. Visit daily for the best CBB moneyline and point spread odds and game totals.

FREE PICK: USC -1.5

Everything points to an Indiana victory. The Hoosiers are the better team. Most of the metrics prove that, but the spot is a tough one for Indiana. On Saturday, the Hoosiers went to double OT to beat UCLA 98-97. Indiana stayed out west and now face a USC team that has the ability to limit what Indiana does best. The Hoosiers score nearly 40 percent of their points via 3PT attempts. USC is one of the best perimeter defenses in the country. They hold opponents to 29.4 percent shooting (14th nationally) from behind the arc. The Trojans also get to the free throw line a lot. They rank No. 3 nationally in FT Rate. While Indiana opened as the favorite, the line has now flipped to USC and we’ll follow that line movement.

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Ylose expert Coach Rick Bowe delivers his daily Quick Picks. The Coach continues to roll up big wins in college basketball, college football, the NFL, MLB and much more. Coach Rick offers a unique perspective to handicapping. Check out his daily free picks right here and jump on his daily Best Bets, which you can find right here at Ylose.com/coach.