California at USC College Basketball Picks & Predictions 1/3/2019

Thursday, January 3, 2019

Galen Center

Get todays College basketball odds and lines on this game.

The California Golden Bears travel to Galen Center to play the USC Trojans on Thursday, January 3, 2019. The opening line for this matchup has USC as 13.5 point favorites.

California comes into this game with an overall record of 5-7. They currently have a point differential of -4.9 as they are averaging 73.0 points per game while giving up 77.9 per contest. USC has an overall mark of 7-6. They are averaging 79.3 points per contest and giving up 73.6, which is a point differential of 5.7.

Valuable California Golden Bears Betting Trends

The California Golden Bears are 4-8-0 against the spread

The California Golden Bears are 7-5-0 against the over/under

Important USC Trojans Betting Trends

The USC Trojans are 6-7-0 against the spread

The USC Trojans are 6-7-0 against the over/under

Key California Golden Bears Injuries

No key injuries to report

Key USC Trojans Injuries

12/18/18 G Charles O'Bannon, Jr. Finger is out indefinitely

Player Spotlight

Justice Sueing averages 13.5 points per game in 32.7 minutes per contest. He averages 1.5 assists per contest and 5.8 rebounds per game. His field goal percentage is 39% for the year while his free throw percentage is 84%. Paris Austin comes into this contest averaging 14.2 points per game while playing 34.6 minutes per night. He pulls down 2.7 rebounds per game and dishes out 5.1 assists per game as well. His field goal percentage is 45% while his free throw percentage is at 74%.

Player Spotlight

Nick Rakocevic averages 14.3 points per game and he sees the court an average of 29.5 minutes per contest. He also averages 10.3 rebounds per contest and 1.1 assists per game. His field goal percentage is 49% and his free throw percentage is 73%. Bennie Boatwright averages 15.0 points per game while playing 30.8 minutes per contest. He grabs 6.4 rebounds per game and has 2.5 assists per contest on the year. His field goal percentage is 45% and his free throw percentage is at 70%.

Useful Team Statistics

The Golden Bears allow 77.9 points per game to their opponents which ranks them 297th in Division 1. They also allow a 49% shooting percentage and a 39% average from behind the arc, ranking them 338th and 338th in those defensive categories. Opponents average 34.2 rebounds a game which ranks 138th, and they give up 14.2 assists per contest which puts them in 252nd place in the NCAA. They force 13.3 turnovers per game which ranks them 133rd in the nation. California averages 73.0 points per contest this season, which ranks them 214th in the country. Their average scoring margin is -4.9 and their shooting percentage is 47% as a team, which has them ranked 112th. Behind the arc they shoot 38% which is good for 43rd in D-1. They average 27.8 rebounds per game and 10.8 assists per contest, which ranks them 350th and 329th in those offensive categories. In the turnover department they rank 321st with 11.3 per game.

Useful Team Statistics

The Trojans surrender 73.6 points per contest, which ranks them 227th in the NCAA. Their defense allows a 41% shooting percentage and a 33% average from 3-point range, ranking them 93rd and 144th in those defensive statistics. They rank 255th with 14.2 assists allowed per contest, and 297th with 38.2 rebounds surrendered per game. The Trojans are 195th in Division 1 in forcing turnovers with 14.2 per game. USC is 75th in the country with 79.3 points per game this year. They are 129th in the D-1 in shooting at 46%, while their average scoring margin is 5.7. They shoot 37% from 3-point range, which is good for 61st in the nation. They are 106th in the country in rebounding with 37.8 boards per game and 47th in assists per contest with 16.2. The Trojans are 210th in turnovers per game with 13.0.

Advanced Statistics

The Golden Bears have an offensive rating of 107.7, which is ranked 120th. They are 302nd in college basketball in pace with 67.7 possessions per 40 minutes, and their eFG% of 53% is 134th. As a unit they are 68th in the nation in true shooting percentage with 57% and they shoot 3-pointers on 33% of their shot attempts, ranking 299th in D-1. California is 276th in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 15 times per 100 possessions.

Advanced Statistics

USC is 264th in college basketball in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 15.2 times per 100 possessions. The Trojans are 169th in the country in offensive rating with 104.7. In terms of pace they are 47th in Division 1 with 74.4 possessions per 40 minutes, and their effective field goal percentage of 52% is 150th. As a team they are 184th in D-1 in true shooting percentage with 55% and they shoot 3-pointers on 33% of their shots, ranking 302nd in the nation.

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

Tony's Pick: Take USC -13.5

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