The Stanford Cardinal (7-6, 0-1 Pac-12) will be at the Galen Center to go head-to-head against the USC Trojans (8-6, 1-0 Pac-12) in a Pac-12 matchup. The game will air on ESPNU at 8 p.m. ET on Sunday, January 6, 2019.
Stanford Cardinal at USC Trojans Betting Odds
Both teams easily got past their last opponent. The Trojans defeated the Robert Morris Colonials 83-62, while the Cardinal beat the Seattle Redhawks 96-74.
Stanford played a nearly flawless game. They had a free throw rate of 0.482 and an effective field goal percentage of 0.616. For those same stats, Seattle was 0.188 and 0.484, respectively. The Trojans, on the other hand, had a much better free throw rate (0.281 vs. 0.129) and had a much better effective field goal percentage (0.588 vs. 0.379). Nick Rakocevic had a good game for USC, recording 18 points and 16 rebounds. Stanford rallied around KZ Okpala, who finished with 29 points, 10 rebounds and five assists.
This was a highly competitive series last year, as the teams split their two games last season. In the most recent matchup, the Trojans won 69-64. USC had a much better turnover percentage (9.3 vs. 21.5). Stanford, meanwhile, did a great job of making free throws (14-19; 73.7 percent). This will be the first game of the year between these two teams.
Kevin Porter Jr. has really been playing well recently for USC, averaging 0 points over the last five games.
USC could put on a ball-control clinic in this showdown. USC ranks 55th in the country at avoiding errors (turnover percentage of 16.8 percent), while Stanford forces the 98th-fewest turnovers (18.4 percent).
Stanford at USC Pick
Prediction: SU Winner – Usc, ATS Winner – USC, O/U – Under
Betting Notes:
- Stanford ranks second in three pointers allowed per game (16.0) while USC ranks 166th (23.7).
- The Trojans rank 16th in blocks allowed per game (2.2) while the Cardinal rank 89th (3.7).
- USC ranks 100th in steals per game (6.6) while Stanford ranks 141st in steals allowed per game (7.6).
- The Trojans rank 35th in assists per game (16.5) while the Cardinal rank 181st (12.3).
- USC averages 37.4 rebounds per game, which ranks 97th in the NCAA. Stanford ranks 199th in rebounds allowed per game (37.8).
Bettings Trends:
- During their last five games, the Trojans have scored an average of 83.6 points per game (4.1 above their season average) and allowed an average of 72.2 points per game (1.4 below their season average).
- The Cardinal’s average margin of defeat in their last five games has been 4.4, up from 0.5 for the season.
