It will be a battle between Pac-12 opponents when the No. 25 USC Trojans (15-6, 6-2 Pac-12) welcome the Stanford Cardinal (11-9, 5-2 Pac-12) to Galen Center. The game starts at 9 p.m. ET on Wednesday, January 24, 2018, and will air on ESPNU.
The game’s Over/Under (O/U) has been set at 149 points with USC opening as a 10-point favorite.
Stanford Cardinal vs. USC Trojans Free Prediction
The Cardinal are hoping for a better outcome after their 73-71 loss to the No. 14 Arizona Wildcats in their last contest. Arizona’s 0.508 effective field goal percentage was their largest strength over Stanford, who had a rate of 0.443. The Wildcats’ mark was below their season average of 0.570, while the Cardinal’s was below their season average of 0.522. Reid Travis was Stanford’s leading scorer with 20 points on 8-for-14 shooting.
The last time the Trojans played, they beat the Oregon State Beavers, 74-67. The Trojans had a turnover percentage of 11.8 (better than their season average of 13.9) and held the Beavers to an effective field goal percentage of 0.444 (below their season average of 0.520). With 12 points and six assists, USC’s Jordan McLaughlin had a good performance.
USC should be expected to protect the ball well in this contest. USC ranks 25th in the nation at avoiding errors (turnover percentage of 16.0 percent), while Stanford forces the 33rd-fewest turnovers (16.4 percent). Also, the Cardinal, who rank 38th in free throw attempt (FTA) rate (0.288), will face a tough test against the Trojans, who rank 37th in opponents’ FTA rate (0.185).
Stanford holds records of 11-9 straight up (SU) and 9-10-1 against the spread (ATS). Of the Cardinal’s 20 games, 13 have finished under the projected point total.
Meanwhile, USC is 15-6 SU and 13-7-1 ATS. Games involving the Trojans have no tendency in regards to the projected point total, as there has been an even split between games finishing over and under.
This is the second game of the season between these two teams. Travis scored a game-high 29 points in the first game, in which the Cardinal, who were 5-point underdogs, defeated the Trojans 77-76. He also had 10 rebounds. The game finished with a total of 153 points, which was just 0.5 points below the projected point total of 153.5 points. The Cardinal had a much better free throw rate (0.159 vs. 0.058) and had a much better offensive rebounding percentage (40.6 vs. 35.1).
Stanford Cardinal at USC Trojans Odds Pick
Predictions: SU Winner – USC, ATS Winner – Stanford, O/U – Under
Notes
Betting Notes:
Stanford is 2-4 ATS on the road with 5 unders and 1 over.
USC is 5-5-1 ATS at home with 5 overs, 4 unders and 1 push.
USC ranks 129th in three pointers attempted per game (22.2) while Stanford ranks 241st (18.4).
The Trojans rank 23rd in steals allowed per game (5.0) while the Cardinal rank 133rd (6.8).
USC ranks 38th in assists per game (16.3) while Stanford ranks 148th (13.4).
The Trojans rank 43rd in blocks per game (4.5) while the Cardinal rank 151st in blocks allowed per game (4.3).
Stanford ranks 43rd in rebounds per game (39.0) while USC ranks 129th (36.3).
Bettings Trends:
In their last five games, Stanford is 5-0 ATS with 4 unders and 1 over.
USC is 3-1-1 ATS with 4 unders and 1 over over their last five games.
The Cardinal’s average margin of victory in their last five games has been 5.2, up from 0.7 for the season.
During their last five games, the Trojans have scored an average of 75.8 points per game (4.6 below their season average) and allowed an average of 67.8 points per game (4.1 below their season average).
