USC Trojans vs Penn State Nittany Lions Picks and Predictions for Sunday February 8 2026

By: Kim Smith Published 02/08/2026, 12:55 AM ET

The USC Trojans travel east to face the Penn State Nittany Lions on Sunday afternoon at the Bryce Jordan Center in University Park, Pennsylvania, with tip-off set for 12:00 PM ET. This Big Ten matchup will be broadcast on BTN. At the time of this writing, the moneyline odds were not released. The total for this game is listed at 155.5 points, while USC comes in as a 4-point road favorite. Before locking anything in, make sure to check out our free college basketball picks for more daily insights.

USC Finding Its Groove in Conference Play

USC enters this matchup with a 17-6 overall record and a 6-6 mark in Big Ten play, showing steady improvement as the season has progressed. Over their last five games, the Trojans have picked up wins over Indiana, Rutgers, and Wisconsin, while also dropping close contests to Iowa and Northwestern. That stretch reflects a team capable of competing night in and night out, even away from home.

From a statistical standpoint, USC has been solid offensively, averaging 81.4 points per game while allowing 75.3 on the defensive end. The Trojans are shooting 47% from the field and pulling down 37.7 rebounds per contest, giving them a reliable inside presence. Their assist numbers sit at 15.5 per game, indicating balanced ball movement rather than isolation-heavy offense.

One of USC’s biggest strengths is its interior defense. The Trojans average 5.6 blocks per game, which can disrupt opposing offenses and limit easy looks at the rim. Combined with their ability to defend without fouling excessively, USC often forces opponents into tougher perimeter shots late in possessions.

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Penn State Searching for Answers at Home

Penn State comes into Sunday’s contest struggling at 10-13 overall and just 1-11 in Big Ten play. The Nittany Lions have had a rough recent stretch, most recently suffering a lopsided loss at Michigan, though they did manage a home win over Minnesota earlier in February. Losses to Northwestern, Ohio State, and Wisconsin have highlighted ongoing consistency issues.

Offensively, Penn State is averaging 76.1 points per game while allowing 79.7, which has made it difficult for them to stay competitive against stronger conference opponents. They shoot a respectable 47% from the field, but their rebounding numbers stand out in a negative way, as they average just 29.8 rebounds per game, often putting them at a possession disadvantage.

Defensively, Penn State lacks rim protection, averaging only 1.5 blocks per game. While they do generate some pressure with 7.0 steals per contest, teams that protect the ball well have been able to exploit the Nittany Lions inside, especially against opponents with size and athleticism.

USC Trojans vs Penn State Nittany Lions Pick

USC Trojans vs Penn State Nittany Lions Spread Pick

Pick: USC Trojans -4

USC has the edge here in terms of overall talent, defensive presence, and recent form. The Trojans’ ability to protect the rim and control the glass should be a major factor against a Penn State team that struggles on the boards. I expect USC to gradually pull away in the second half and cover the number.

USC Trojans vs Penn State Nittany Lions Total Pick

Pick: Over 155.5

I’m playing the over in this matchup because USC is capable of pushing the pace when opportunities present themselves, and Penn State tends to allow efficient scoring against quality opponents. Even if the Nittany Lions fall behind, their scoring pace at home should help keep the total moving upward.

Final Score Prediction: USC 82, Penn State 74

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