USC vs Arizona State Odds
| USC Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
+4.5 -118 | 138.5 -110o / -110u | +150 |
| Arizona State Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
-4.5 -104 | 138.5 -110o / -110u | -182 |
The Trojans are looking to get back on track in their second game of an Arizona road trip. USC's 16-point loss at Arizona on Thursday was its worst of the season and dropped it to 5-3 in Pac-12 play.
However, the Trojans now face an entirely different challenge against the Sun Devils.
Arizona is a high-scoring, fast-paced team that loves to push the ball as quick as possible. Arizona State is the exact opposite. The Sun Devils play at an average pace and rely on their lockdown defense to win them games.
Both of these teams rank among the top 50 in the nation when it comes to defensive efficiency, and with this matchup likely being a slow, drawn out rock fight, whoever finds the edge on the offensive end likely wins this game.
The Sun Devils are 17-27 all-time against the Trojans and have lost five in a row against USC. But on their home court, they lead the series 14-8.
Does Bobby Hurley's team have what it takes to end the losing streak to Southern Cal?
USC Trojans
This Trojans team's success begins with its defense. USC has held three of its last six opponents to less than 35% from the floor. During its last five games, opposing teams have hit just 42.6% on 2-point shots and 29.6% in the paint.
However, defending the perimeter has been a different story.
From beyond the 3-point line, opponents are cashing in on 39.7% of shots in the Trojans' last five games. They have to improve on the perimeter if they are going to stand any chance of keeping this game close against the Sun Devils.
Arizona State is shooting 33.2% from deep on the season, but over its last five games, it's seen a serious uptick from beyond the arc, cashing in on 38.6%.
At the offensive end, USC lives in the mid-range, taking nearly a fourth of its shots from the region and hitting 50% over the last five games.
This is where the Trojans can take a hold of this game against the Sun Devils, who have allowed conference opponents to hit 45.8% from mid-range. They've been even worse in the last five, giving up 51.5%.
Arizona State Sun Devils
The Sun Devils' hot streak came to a crashing halt last time out, as they fell to UCLA at home, losing by 12 to the Bruins.
The Sun Devils — much like USC — rely heavily on their defense and have held opponents to a 13th-best in the nation effective field goal percentage of 44.4%.
One of their biggest threats defensively against the Trojans will be at the basket. The Sun Devils lead the Pac-12 and are 11th in the nation in defensive block percentage. They've also held teams to just 41.5% on 2-point shots.
Since conference play began, USC has taken more and more shots at the rim, hitting 60.5% in conference.
Continuing to increasingly drive to the basket will be a losing battle against the Sun Devils and could cost the Trojans this game.
USC vs Arizona State Betting Pick
The Trojans have struggled on the road. While they're 9-1 at home, they're just 2-3 in true road games. More importantly, both of their road wins came against Cal and Washington — two teams in the bottom half of the Pac-12.
With that said, though, this will be a low-scoring rock fight between these two teams.
And regardless of who's having a good year or bad year, this matchup has consistently been close. Six of the last 10 games between the Trojans and Sun Devils have been decided by less than five points.
I think we see another one on Saturday night, and I wouldn't be surprised to see both of these teams struggle to break 70.
Pick: USC +4 or Better |
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