The Washington Huskies and USC Trojans have to go all the way to Chicago to face each other in the Big Ten tournament.
While the Windy City seems far from the West Coast, UW star freshman Hannes Steinbach is making a name for himself 4,400 miles from his home in Würzburg, Germany, averaging almost 21 points in Washington’s last 10 outings
That stretch includes a 22-point, 24-rebound effort in a 91-72 blowout win over Southern Cal on March 4. Our USC vs. Washington predictions piggyback on that performance, and my college basketball picks call for another big day from the Huskies' standout.
Washington vs USC prediction
Washington vs USC best bet
Washington vs USC best bet: Hannes Steinbach Over 20.5 points (-110)
Hannes Steinbach kept the Washington Huskies competitive through a rash of injuries this season.
Despite logging major minutes, he hasn't slowed down and enters the Big Ten tournament playing as well as any player in the conference.
Steinbach is a handful around the hoop, averaging more than 13 points in the paint while crashing the glass for 5.2 second-chance tallies.
The USC Trojans aren’t putting up a fight. The program is in shambles and won’t battle on defense, allowing 38.4 PITP and 12.8 SCP over the last five games.
Steinbach had 22 and 24 points versus the Trojans this year.
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Washington vs USC same-game parlay
Game models have this matchup a little closer than oddsmakers expect, but those projections aren’t factoring in the state of USC basketball. The Trojans have not only dropped seven in a row but booted top star Chad Baker-Mazara, leaving Eric Musselman’s rotation in disarray.
Steinbach pokes all of Southern Cal’s soft spots. The freshman stud is projected for as many as 22 points against a USC frontcourt, allowing foes to fire at 42% over the last five games. Steinbach is shooting 75% from the floor over his last six contests.
Steinbach probably won’t top his rebounding count from his last run-in with the Trojans, snatching an insane 24 rebounds. However, he grabbed 16 vs. USC in December and has 13 or more in three of the last four games.
Washington vs USC SGP
- Washington moneyline
- Hannes Steinbach Over 20.5 points
- Hannes Steinbach Over 12.5 rebounds
Our beyond the arc SGP: Deutschland Deep Dish
Steinbach’s star power shines in Chicago with the Huskies freshman filling the stat sheet while USC’s Alijah Arenas comes up short, with projections topping out at 16.5 points.
Washington vs USC SGP
- Washington -5.5
- Hannes Steinbach Over 20.5 points
- Hannes Steinbach Over 12.5 rebounds
- Alijah Arenas Under 18.5 points
Washington vs USC odds
- Spread: Washington -5.5 | USC +5.5
- Moneyline: Washington -230 | USC +190
- Over/Under: Over 152.5 | Under 152.5
Washington vs USC betting trend to know
Southern Cal has failed to cover the spread in six straight games and went 0-2 SU and ATS versus Washington this season. Find more college basketball betting trends for Washington vs. USC.
How to watch Washington vs USC
| Location | United Center, Chicago, IL |
| Date | Wednesday, March 11, 2026 |
| Tip-off | 2:30 p.m. ET |
| TV | Peacock |
Washington vs USC key injuries
Odds are correct at the time of publishing and are subject to change.
Not intended for use in MA.
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