Penn St. Nittany Lions vs
USC TrojansPredictions & Preview

USC Favored Over Penn State in Upcoming Basketball Matchup, Betting Line Opens at -4.5

In the upcoming Penn State vs. USC basketball game, USC is favored to win with a betting line opening at -4.5. This will be the first meeting between the two teams since 2014, where Penn State emerged victorious. Penn State will be looking to bounce back from a recent loss to UCLA, while USC looks to continue their momentum in conference play. Be sure to tune in to see how this matchup unfolds.

Betting Odds

• Moneyline: Nittany Lions +164 | Trojans -198
• Spread: Nittany Lions +4.5 (-110) | Trojans -4.5 (-110)
• Total: Over/Under 151.5 (-110)
• Based on the moneyline, the implied probability that USC will win straight-up is 66%.

Penn St. vs USC Stats

Penn St. Nittany Lions

Penn State's basketball team is not currently projected to receive an at-large bid to the NCAA Tournament, but they can still work on picking up wins to build momentum. The team has struggled recently, losing five straight games and scoring less than 64 points in their last three. Guard Ace Baldwin leads the team in scoring and assists, but their offensive and defensive stats are not among the top in the NCAA. Despite their struggles, they have shown potential on offense, shooting a high percentage from the field and free throw line. Defensively, they need to work on limiting their opponents' shooting percentages. The team's power ranking is 332nd overall, with strengths in offense and areas needing improvement on defense.

USC Trojans Analysis

In the latest Bracketology update, Joe Lunardi has Southern Cal listed as the last four out of the NCAA Tournament. The team currently has a Net Ranking of 71 and a record of 3-7 in Quad 1 wins. Unfortunately, they have lost three of their last four games, which has hurt their chances of making it to the tournament. USC has played their last two games without leading scorer Desmond Claude, who is questionable for their upcoming game. In their recent loss to Purdue, Wesley Yates scored 30 points, but the rest of the starters struggled offensively. The Trojans have a strong offense, averaging 76.4 points per game and shooting well from the field and three-point range. On defense, they allow 73.4 points per game and struggle with three-point defense and rebounding. USC's power ranking is 232, with #122 for offense and #236 for defense. Overall, they have a record of 13-10 and have had success against Penn State in recent matchups.

Injury to Top Scorer Claude Hurting Trojans' Performance, Penn State Emerging as Strong Wagering Option

Unfortunately, the absence of Claude has significantly impacted the Trojans' performance, leading to significant losses against Northwestern and Purdue. It is clear that without their top scorer, the team is struggling. While there is a possibility that Claude may still play, it is crucial to prioritize caution considering his knee injury. In contrast, Penn State has demonstrated strong performance in their recent road games, covering the spread in three out of their last four matches. Particularly noteworthy is their efficiency against formidable opponents such as Michigan State, Iowa, and Michigan. Considering these factors, it may be prudent to consider Penn State as a viable option for wagering.

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