It will be a battle between Pac-12 opponents when the California Golden Bears (7-7, 1-0 Pac-12) welcome the No. 25 USC Trojans (8-5, 1-1 Pac-12) to Haas Pavilion. The game can be seen on Pac-12 Network at 10:30 p.m. ET on Thursday, January 4, 2018.
USC is a 7-point favorite on the opening line, while the game’s Over/Under (O/U) opened at 156 points.
USC Trojans vs. California Golden Bears Betting Prediction
The last time the Trojans played, they dismantled the Washington State Cougars, 89-71. The Trojans forced 17 turnovers and had a much better offensive rebounding percentage (33.3 vs. 21.6). Jordan McLaughlin fueled USC with 10 points and 11 assists.
The Golden Bears barely escaped the Stanford Cardinal in their last contest, 77-74. California’s turnover percentage was their largest advantage over Stanford. The Golden Bears had a rate of 11.8 (better than their season average of 18.4), while the Cardinal posted a mark of 14.0. With 18 points and six rebounds, Justice Sueing put together a solid performance for California.
A focal point for the California offense is getting to the free throw line. The Golden Bears rank 13th in free throw attempt (FTA) rate (0.321), but USC is among the best in the NCAA at keeping opponents away from the charity stripe (ranking 51st by yielding a FTA rate of 0.185). Also, the 53rd-ranked offense of the Trojans (offensive efficiency of 113.7) will face off against the 293rd-ranked defense of the Golden Bears (defensive efficiency of 108.8).
USC holds records of 8-5 straight up (SU) and 9-6 against the spread (ATS). Of the Trojans’ 14 games, eight have finished over the projected point total.
Meanwhile, California owns records of 7-7 SU and 5-6 ATS. Much like USC, games involving the Golden Bears also have a tendency to finish over the total (63.6 percent).
After the Golden Bears won the sole contest against the Trojans last season, 74-73, this will be the first matchup of the year between these two teams. California had a much better offensive rebounding percentage (38.7 vs. 28.1). USC, on the other hand, had a better free throw rate (0.182 vs. 0.115).
USC Trojans vs. California Golden Bears ATS Pick
Predictions: SU Winner – USC, ATS Winner – USC, O/U – Over
Notes
Betting Notes:
On the road, USC is 5-1 ATS with 4 overs and 2 unders.
At home, California is 2-5 ATS with 5 overs, 1 under and 1 push.
USC ranks 48th in assists per game (16.5) while California ranks 234th (10.7).
The Trojans rank 130th in three pointers attempted per game (22.6) while the Golden Bears rank 286th (14.1).
USC ranks 34th in blocks allowed per game (2.5) while California ranks 101st (3.6).
The Trojans rank 47th in rebounds per game (39.4) while the Golden Bears rank 112th (37.0).
USC ranks 49th in steals allowed per game (5.5) while California ranks 80th (6.1).
Bettings Trends:
In their last five games, USC is 4-1 ATS with 4 overs and 1 under.
California is 2-2 ATS with 3 overs and 1 under over their last five games.
The Trojans’ average margin of victory in their last five games has been 8.6, down from 8.6 for the season.
During their last five games, the Golden Bears have scored an average of 79.4 points per game (3.3 above their season average) and allowed an average of 78.0 points per game (1.6 below their season average).
