Cardinal Enters USC Matchup As Heavy Favorite Friday

Stanford vs USC is one of two Pac-12 women’s basketball matchups on the night between ranked teams on Friday. You wouldn’t know it from looking at the odds on the game, however.

Legal Canadian and US online sportsbooks have the Cardinal as a heavy favorite to dispatch the Trojans. The spread might be worth a look on the contest, as might an earlier contest between Arizona and Utah.

Stanford vs USC details

Here are all the particulars for bettors and fans heading into a game that could help No. 3 Stanford secure at least a share of the Pac-12 regular-season title.

• Tip-off: 11 p.m. ET, Friday, Feb. 17
• Venue: Maples Pavilion, Stanford, CA
• Broadcast: Pac-12 Networks
• Streaming: Pac-12 Live or live TV streaming products that carry the Pac-12 Networks
• Previous matchup: Jan. 15 at USC, 55-46 Trojans over Cardinal
• Team records: Stanford 24-3 (12-2 Pac-12), USC 19-6 (9-5 Pac-12)
• Last games: Stanford; 96-64 win at Arizona State on Feb. 12. USC; 60-56 overtime win vs Oregon State on Feb. 12.
• Series history: Stanford 67, USC 21. Stanford has won 13 of the last 14 meetings and the last 10 in a row on its home court.
• Notable injuries: None

The lines on Friday afternoon

As of 2 p.m. ET, legal Canadian and US sportsbooks are offering action on this contest.

Handicapping Stanford vs USC

The Trojans likely come into this contest with more confidence in themselves than sportsbooks have in them. They are one of just three teams to get a win over the Cardinal this season and that game took place just a little more more than a month ago.

Furthermore, when USC got that win, the Trojans ended a 51-game winning streak of Stanford’s. Also, USC just ascended back into the rankings at No. 25. Suffice to say, the Trojans are probably as confident as any +1700 underdog has ever been.

However, the venue makes a big deal here. Holding the Cardinal to just 46 points on its home court is unlikely, but that might be what USC needs to do to get the season sweep. While the moneyline on this game is likely something to stay away from, the spread and total might be worth a look.

Stanford is tied for fourth in the nation with a scoring margin of 21.1 points per game. However, that’s more due to the Cardinal offense than the defense. If the Trojans can frustrate Stanford offensively again, a wager on them on the spread might pay off.

Other Friday night top 25 action

In another Pac-12 meeting, No. 4 Utah visits No. 18 Arizona at 9 p.m. ET. As of 2 p.m. ET, these are the available lines on that contest among legal North American sportsbooks.