It will be a battle between Pac-12 opponents when the No. 25 USC Trojans (7-5, 0-1 Pac-12) welcome the Washington State Cougars (8-5, 0-1 Pac-12) to Galen Center. The game will air on ESPN2 at 9 p.m. ET on Sunday, December 31, 2017.
USC opened as a 14-point favorite, while the Over/Under (O/U) for the game has been set at 157 points.
Washington State Cougars vs. USC Trojans Free Prediction
The last time the Cougars played, they were defeated by the UCLA Bruins, 96-82. UCLA’s rebounding was their biggest advantage. The Bruins had more offensive rebounds (14 vs. three), defensive rebounds (29 vs. 27) and total rebounds (43 vs. 30). Robert Franks led Washington State in scoring with 20 points on 7-for-16 shooting.
The Trojans lost to the Washington Huskies in their last contest, 88-81. Washington made eight of their 16 three pointers (50.0 percent), while USC was just 3-20 (15.0 percent). USC’s Chimezie Metu had a good game, leading both teams in scoring with 26 points on 10-for-14 shooting.
USC could put on a ball-control clinic in this showdown. USC ranks 41st in the NCAA at avoiding errors (turnover percentage of 16.5 percent), while Washington State forces the 11th-fewest turnovers (15.7 percent). Moreover, the Cougars rank 306th in free throw attempt (FTA) rate (0.187), while the Trojans rank 53rd in opponents’ FTA rate (0.183).
Washington State comes into the contest with records of 8-5 straight up (SU) and 8-4 against the spread (ATS). Of the Cougars’ 12 games with betting action, seven have finished under the projected point total.
Meanwhile, USC is 7-5 SU and 8-6 ATS. Of the Trojans’ 13 games, 7 have finished over the projected point total.
Metu has averaged 21.0 points, 9.0 rebounds and 1.6 blocks over the last five games for USC.
After the Trojans won both matchups against the Cougars last season, this will be the first matchup of the year between these two teams. In the most recent matchup, USC won 87-64. The Trojans had a much better turnover percentage (10.2 vs. 18.6) and had a much better offensive rebounding percentage (40.0 vs. 29.0).
Washington State Cougars vs. USC Trojans Pick
Predictions: SU Winner – USC, ATS Winner – Washington State, O/U – Over
Notes
Betting Notes:
Washington State is 4-3 ATS on the road with 4 overs and 3 unders.
At home, USC is 3-5 ATS with 3 overs, 3 unders and 1 push.
Washington State ranks eighth in three pointers attempted per game (30.8) while USC ranks 228th in three pointers allowed per game (25.4).
The Trojans rank 50th in rebounds per game (39.3) while the Cougars rank 218th in rebounds allowed per game (38.5).
USC ranks 43rd in blocks per game (4.8) while Washington State ranks 161st (2.5).
The Cougars average 15.5 assists per game, which ranks 73rd in the nation. The Trojans rank 147th in assists allowed per game (14.0).
Washington State is 27th in the nation with 5.0 steals allowed per game while USC is 38th with 5.3 steals allowed per game.
Bettings Trends:
In their last five games, Washington State is 3-2 ATS with 4 unders and 1 over.
USC is 3-2 ATS with 4 overs and 1 under over their last five games.
The Cougars’ average margin of victory in their last five games has been 3.4, up from 2.4 for the season.
During their last five games, the Trojans have scored an average of 87.6 points per game (6.3 above their season average) and allowed an average of 78.0 points per game (4.6 above their season average).
