The No. 14 USC Trojans (4-1) head to SMU to take on the Mustangs (6-2) in a matchup that pits phenomenal offense against superb defense. The game can be seen on ESPNU at 10 p.m. ET on Saturday, December 2, 2017.
SMU is a 2-point favorite on the opening line, while the Over/Under (O/U) for the game opened at 140 points.
USC Trojans vs. SMU Mustangs Betting Prediction
In the Trojans’ last contest, they were beaten by the No. 16 Texas A&M Aggies, 75-59. Texas A&M’s effective field goal percentage was their largest advantage over USC. The Aggies had a rate of 0.479 (below their season average of 0.584), while the Trojans posted a mark of 0.331 (below their season average of 0.528). Chimezie Metu led USC in scoring with 13 points on 5-for-14 shooting.
The Mustangs won big over the Texas-Rio Grande Valley Vaqueros in their last game, 95-64. The Mustangs knocked down 20 of their 26 free throws (76.9 percent) and had a turnover percentage of 8.9 (better than their season average of 15.8). With 18 points, six assists and five rebounds, Jimmy Whitt played well for SMU.
This matchup figures to be a high-scoring affair as a pair of the NCAA’s best offenses battle. SMU ranks 12th with 117.3 points per 100 possessions and USC is 56th (111.9) dating back to last season.
USC heads into the game with records of 4-1 straight up (SU) and 3-2 against the spread (ATS). Vegas has a tendency to set the total high when the Trojans are involved, as 75.0 percent of their games have finished under the total.
Meanwhile, SMU is 6-2 SU and 2-2 ATS. Coinciding with USC, Mustangs games also tend to finish under the total (75.0 percent).
The Trojans won both games against the Mustangs last season. In the last game, USC won 66-65. The Trojans knocked down 10 of their 14 free throws (71.4 percent) and had a better effective field goal percentage (0.560 vs. 0.500).
USC Trojans vs. SMU Mustangs Betting Pick
Predictions: SU Winner – USC, ATS Winner – USC, O/U – Over
Notes
Betting Notes (2016-Present):
SMU ranks 23rd in assists per game (16.4) while USC ranks 224th in assists allowed per game (14.0).
The Mustangs rank eighth in rebounds allowed per game (30.0) while the Trojans rank 198th (35.8).
USC ranks 132nd in three pointers attempted per game (22.0) while SMU ranks 299th in three pointers allowed per game (24.5).
The Trojans rank 14th in blocks per game (5.3) while the Mustangs rank 118th (3.6).
SMU ranks 17th in steals allowed per game (4.9) while USC ranks 69th (5.5).
