The USC Trojans (24-11) square off against the Western Kentucky Hilltoppers (25-10) in the NIT at Galen Center. The game starts at 11:30 p.m. ET on Monday, March 19, 2018, and will air on ESPN2.
The game’s Over/Under (O/U) opened at 151.5 points with USC set as a 4-point favorite.
Western Kentucky Hilltoppers at USC Trojans Free Prediction
The Hilltoppers will be hoping for a similar outcome after beating the Boston College Eagles in their last matchup, 79-62. Western Kentucky’s free throw rate was their biggest advantage over Boston College. The Hilltoppers had a rate of 0.196 (matching their season average), while the Eagles posted a mark of 0.123 (below their season average of 0.231). With 19 points on 8-for-12 shooting, Justin Johnson was the top scorer from either team.
In the Trojans’ last matchup, they beat the UNC Asheville Bulldogs, 103-98. The Trojans had a phenomenal offensive rebounding percentage of 32.6 (above their season average of 30.0) and had a better turnover percentage (15.4 vs. 17.0). With 24 points and 19 rebounds, USC’s Nick Rakocevic played well.
This matchup figures to be a high-scoring affair as two of the NCAA’s top offenses clash. USC ranks 37th with 113.1 points per 100 possessions and Western Kentucky is 39th (113.0). Also, the Hilltoppers rank 30th in free throw attempt (FTA) rate (0.286), while the Trojans rank 23rd in opponents’ FTA rate (0.184).
Western Kentucky heads into the contest with records of 25-10 straight up (SU) and 21-12 against the spread (ATS). Of the Hilltoppers’ 33 games with betting action, 17 have finished under the total.
Meanwhile, USC is 24-11 SU and 20-14-1 ATS. Trojans games tend to go under the O/U total (64.7 percent).
Justin Johnson has averaged 18.2 points and 10.6 rebounds over the last five games for Western Kentucky.
Western Kentucky Hilltoppers at USC Trojans Odds Pick
Basketball Tip: SU Winner – Western Kentucky, ATS Winner – Western Kentucky, O/U – Under
Notes
Betting Notes:
USC ranks 156th in three pointers attempted per game (21.8) while Western Kentucky ranks 312th (15.5).
The Trojans average 15.7 assists per game, which ranks 46th in the NCAA. The Hilltoppers rank 166th in assists allowed per game (13.6).
Western Kentucky ranks 47th in steals per game (7.3) while USC ranks 125th (6.3).
The Trojans rank 61st in blocks per game (4.1) while the Hilltoppers rank 138th in blocks allowed per game (3.4).
Bettings Trends:
The Hilltoppers’ average margin of victory in their last five games has been 4.8, down from 8.5 for the season.
During their last five games, the Trojans have scored an average of 74.2 points per game (3.6 below their season average) and allowed an average of 71.6 points per game (0.6 above their season average).
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