Thursday, February 23, 2017

McKale Center

For Updated Odds on This Game Click Here

The USC Trojans travel to McKale Center to play the Arizona Wildcats on Thursday, February 23, 2017. The opening line for this game has Arizona as 9 point favorites.

The Trojans come into this game with an overall record of 21-6 and a road record of 6-3. They are 13-13 against the spread and their over/under record is 14-12. The Wildcats have an overall record of 25-3 and a home record of 14-0. They have an over/under record of 12-15 and they are 13-13 against the spread.

Chimezie Metu comes into this contest averaging 14.2 points per game while playing 31.3 minutes per night so far this season for the Trojans. He pulls down 7.3 rebounds per game and dishes out 1.3 assists per game as well. His field goal percentage is 54% while his free throw percentage is currently at 72%. Elijah Stewart averages 13.4 points per game in 29.8 minutes per contest this season. He averages 1.3 assists per contest and 4.6 rebounds per game for USC. His field goal percentage is 43% for the year while his free throw percentage is 74%.

Lauri Markkanen averages 15.7 points per game while playing 30.6 minutes per contest this year for the Wildcats. He grabs 7.5 rebounds per game and has 0.9 assists per contest on the year. His field goal percentage is 50% and his free throw percentage currently is at 84%. Rawle Alkins averages 11.3 points per game this season and he sees the court an average of 28.8 minutes per contest. He also averages 5.1 rebounds per contest and 2 assists per game. His field goal percentage is 44% and his free throw percentage is 74%.

USC averages 78.7 points per contest this season which ranks them 50th in the nation. Their average scoring margin is 5.7 and their shooting percentage is 44% as a team which has them ranked 152nd. Behind the arc they shoot 36% which is good for 117th in the country. They average 37.5 rebounds per game and 14.8 assists per game which ranks them 71st and 78th in those offensive categories. In the turnover department they rank 27th with 11.2 per game. The Trojans allow 73 points per game to their opponents which ranks them 187th in the nation. They also allow a 42% shooting percentage and a 36% average from behind the arc ranking them 87th and 213th in those defensive categories. Opponents average 36.6 rebounds a game which ranks 234th and they give up 14.1 assists per contest which puts them in 231st place in the country. They force 12.9 turnovers per game which ranks them 196th in Division 1.

Arizona averages 74.9 points per game this year which ranks them 118th in Division 1 college basketball. Their average scoring margin is 11.4 and their shooting percentage is 47% as a team which has them sitting in the 49th spot in the country. Behind the arc they shoot 39% which is good for 24th in the nation. They average 37 rebounds per game and 14 assists per contest which ranks them 90th and 122nd respectively. In the turnover department the Wildcats rank 58th with 11.8 per game. The Wildcats allow 63.5 points per game to their opponents which ranks them 19th in the country. They also allow a 41% shooting percentage and a 31% average from behind the arc ranking them 51st and 22nd in those defensive statistics. Opponents average 30 rebounds a game which ranks 8th and they give up 12.6 assists per contest which puts them in 110th place in the nation. The Wildcats force 12.4 turnovers per game which ranks them 241st in college basketball.

The Trojans average 76.1 points per game on the road this season and they have scored 77.3 ppg in their past 3 contests. They have an average scoring differential of -0.8 on the road and in their past 3 games their difference is -5.7 per contest. The Trojans have an offensive rating of 109.9 and they assist on 54.9% of their shots. In terms of pace they average 71.3 possessions per 40 minutes and their effective field goal percentage is 51%. As a team they have a true shooting percentage of 55% and they shoot 3 pointers on 36% of their shots. USC turns the ball over an average of 13.7 times per 100 possessions and they get a steal on 9.9% of their opponents possessions. Their total rebound percentage is 50.6% while their offensive rebound percentage is 31.6%. The Trojans give up 76.9 points per game on the road this season and they have surrendered 83 points per contest in their last 3 games.

The Wildcats score 77.1 ppg at home and they have averaged 72 points per contest in their last 3 games.They have an average scoring differential of 10.7 in their past 3 contests and at home this season they have a difference of 15.6 points per game. The Wildcats have a rating on offense of 112.1 and 54.1% of their shots are assisted. They possess the ball 66.8 times per 40 minutes and their effective field goal percentage for the year is 53%. As an offensive unit they have a true shooting percentage of 57% and they attempt 3 pointers on 30% of their shots. Arizona turns it over an average of 15.4 times per 100 possessions and they steal the ball on 8.6% of their opponents possessions. Their total rebound percentage is 55.2% while their offensive rebound percentage for the season is 34.3%. The Wildcats give up 61.6 points per contest at home this year and they have given up 61.3 points per game in their past 3 contests.

USC Trojans Betting Trends

The USC Trojans are 13-13 against the spread

The USC Trojans are 14-12 against the over/under

Arizona Wildcats Betting Trends

The Arizona Wildcats are 13-13 against the spread

The Arizona Wildcats are 12-15 against the over/under

USC Trojans Injuries

No key injuries to report

Arizona Wildcats Injuries

11/17/16 G Dylan Smith Concussion out indefinitely
11/11/16 F Talbott Denny Knee out for season
11/08/16 F Ray Smith Knee out for season
02/22/17 C Dusan Ristic Ankle "?" Thursday vs. USC
02/22/17 G Kadeem Allen Finger "?" Thursday vs. USC

Guy's Pick: Take Arizona -9

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