USC at SMU College Basketball Picks & Predictions 12/2/2017

Saturday, December 2, 2017

Moody Coliseum

Get todays College basketball odds and lines on this game.

The USC Trojans travel to Moody Coliseum to play the SMU Mustangs on Saturday, December 2, 2017. The opening line for this game has SMU as 2.5 point favorites.

USC comes into this game with an overall record of 4-1. They currently have a point differential of 13.0 as they are averaging 79.8 points per game while giving up 66.8 per contest. SMU has an overall record of 6-2. They are averaging 74.3 points per game and surrendering 56.5, good for a point differential of 17.8.

Valuable USC Trojans Betting Trends

The USC Trojans are 3-2 against the spread this season

The USC Trojans are 1-4 against the over/under this year

Important SMU Mustangs Betting Trends

The SMU Mustangs are 2-2 against the spread this season

The SMU Mustangs are 1-3 against the over/under this year

Key USC Trojans Injuries

12/01/17 G De'Anthony Melton Suspension is doubtful Saturday vs SMU

Key SMU Mustangs Injuries

No key injuries to report

Player Spotlight

Chimezie Metu averages 16.6 points per game in 30 minutes per contest this season. He averages 1.2 assists per contest and 8.4 rebounds per game. His field goal percentage is 47% for the year while his free throw percentage is 61%. Bennie Boatwright averages 16.8 points per game while playing 30.2 minutes per night this season. He pulls down 7.6 rebounds per game and dishes out 1.6 assists per game as well. His field goal percentage is 38% while his free throw percentage is at 71%.

Player Spotlight

Jarrey Foster averages 14.9 points per game this season and he sees the court an average of 33.3 minutes per contest. He also averages 5.3 rebounds per contest and 2.9 assists per game. His field goal percentage is 48% and his free throw percentage is 62%. Shake Milton averages 18.3 points per game while playing 36.9 minutes per contest this year. He grabs 4.5 rebounds per game and has 3.4 assists per contest on the year. His field goal percentage is 38% and his free throw percentage is at 89%.

Useful Team Statistics

The Trojans allow 66.8 points per game to their opponents which ranks them 84th in the nation. They also allow a 39% shooting percentage and a 30% average from behind the arc, ranking them 50th and 68th in those defensive categories. Opponents average 39.4 rebounds a game which ranks 305th, and they give up 10.8 assists per contest, which puts them in 54th place in the country. They force 16.0 turnovers per game which ranks them 280th in college basketball. USC averages 79.8 points per contest this season, which ranks them 109th in Division 1. Their average scoring margin is 13.0 and their shooting percentage is 42% as a team, which has them ranked 282nd. Behind the arc they shoot 38% which is good for 81st in D-1. They average 42.6 rebounds per game and 13.4 assists per game, which ranks them 22nd and 212th in those offensive categories. In the turnover department they rank 322nd with 11.2 per game.

Useful Team Statistics

The Mustangs surrender 56.5 points per contest, which ranks them 3rd in the country. Their defense allows a 39% shooting percentage and a 32% average from 3-point range, ranking them 56th and 101st in those defensive statistics. They rank 27th with 10.0 assists allowed per contest, and 72nd with 32.3 rebounds surrendered per game. The Mustangs are 267th in the nation in forcing turnovers with 15.9 per game this season. SMU is 203rd in Division 1 with 74.3 points per game this year. They are 186th in the country in shooting at 45%, while their average scoring margin is 17.8. They shoot 41% from 3-point range, which is good for 36th in the nation. They are 148th in college basketball in rebounding with 37.5 boards per game and 40th in assists per contest with 17.5. The Mustangs are 306th in turnovers per game with 11.6.

Advanced Statistics

The Trojans are 29th in the country in defensive rating with 87.9, and their offensive rating of 105 is ranked 180th. They are 81st in college basketball in pace with 74.1 possessions per 40 minutes, and their eFG% of 49% is 267th. As a unit they are 280th in the nation in true shooting percentage with 52% and they shoot 3-pointers on 35% of their shot attempts, ranking 220th in D-1. USC is 337th in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 12.7 times per 100 possessions while forcing 18.3 on defense. Their defensive eFG% for the year currently is 45%, which is 49th in the country.

Advanced Statistics

SMU is 274th in the country in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 14.8 times per 100 possessions while forcing 21.3 on defense. Their defensive eFG% for the year currently is 46%, which is 73rd in Division 1. The Mustangs are 22nd in the nation in defensive rating with 86.8, and their offensive rating of 114 is ranked 51st. They are 347th in D-1 in pace with 65.1 possessions per 40 minutes, and their eFG% of 53% is 138th. As a unit they are 150th in college basketball in true shooting percentage with 56% and they shoot 3-pointers on 39% of their shot attempts, ranking 139th in the country.

Who will win tonight's USC/SMU college basketball game against the spread?

Josh's Pick: Take SMU -2.5

Get $60 worth of FREE premium member picks. No Obligation. No Salesman. No Credit Card. Fast Sign up with Instant Access Click Here

Read more articles by Josh Schonwald