LSU vs USC Expert NCAA Basketball Picks 12/21/2019

Game: LSU Tigers vs USC Trojans

Date: Saturday, December 21, 2019

Location: Galen Center in Los Angeles, CA

TV: FS1

Odds/Point Spread: USC +2

Total/Over-Under: 154

The LSU Tigers travel to Galen Center to play the USC Trojans on Saturday, December 21, 2019. The opening line for this matchup has LSU as 2 point favorites.

LSU comes into this game with an overall record of 7-3. They currently have a point differential of 14.5 as they are averaging 83.1 points per game while giving up 68.6 per contest. USC has an overall mark of 9-2. They are averaging 76.5 points per contest and giving up 69.4, which is a point differential of 7.2.

Valuable LSU Tigers Betting Trends

The LSU Tigers are 6-4-0 against the spread

The LSU Tigers are 5-5-0 against the over/under

Important USC Trojans Betting Trends

The USC Trojans are 5-6-0 against the spread

The USC Trojans are 4-6-1 against the over/under

Key LSU Tigers Injuries

12/13/19 G Marlon Taylor Foot is questionable

Key USC Trojans Injuries

12/16/19 G Charles O'Bannon Jr. Personal has left the program

Player Spotlight

Emmitt Williams averages 15.5 points per game in 28.8 minutes per contest. He averages 1.3 assists per contest and 8.2 rebounds per game. His field goal percentage is 68% for the year while his free throw percentage is 81%. Skylar Mays comes into this contest averaging 15.7 points per game while playing 33.2 minutes per night. He pulls down 4.7 rebounds per game and dishes out 2.9 assists per game as well. His field goal percentage is 62% while his free throw percentage is at 88%.

Player Spotlight

Jonah Mathews averages 12.4 points per game and he sees the court an average of 29.3 minutes per contest. He also averages 2.0 rebounds per contest and 2.0 assists per game. His field goal percentage is 37% and his free throw percentage is 71%. Onyeka Okongwu averages 18.4 points per game while playing 27.5 minutes per contest. He grabs 9.0 rebounds per game and has 0.8 assists per contest on the year. His field goal percentage is 62% and his free throw percentage is at 72%.

Useful Team Statistics

The Tigers allow 68.6 points per game to their opponents which ranks them 178th in Division 1. They also allow a 40% shooting percentage and a 32% average from behind the arc, ranking them 87th and 163rd in those defensive categories. Opponents average 32.3 rebounds a game which ranks 71st, and they give up 11.7 assists per contest which puts them in 129th place in the NCAA. They force 14.0 turnovers per game which ranks them 164th in the nation. LSU averages 83.1 points per contest this season, which ranks them 14th in the country. Their average scoring margin is 14.5 and their shooting percentage is 51% as a team, which has them ranked 6th. Behind the arc they shoot 32% which is good for 225th in D-1. They average 39.7 rebounds per game and 14.2 assists per contest, which ranks them 51st and 124th in those offensive categories. In the turnover department they rank 74th with 15.1 per game.

Useful Team Statistics

The Trojans surrender 69.4 points per contest, which ranks them 197th in the NCAA. Their defense allows a 40% shooting percentage and a 36% average from 3-point range, ranking them 83rd and 289th in those defensive statistics. They rank 163rd with 12.2 assists allowed per contest, and 159th with 34.7 rebounds surrendered per game. The Trojans are 145th in Division 1 in forcing turnovers with 13.7 per game. USC is 97th in the country with 76.5 points per game this year. They are 126th in the D-1 in shooting at 45%, while their average scoring margin is 7.2. They shoot 36% from 3-point range, which is good for 98th in the nation. They are 47th in the country in rebounding with 40.0 boards per game and 36th in assists per contest with 16.3. The Trojans are 130th in turnovers per game with 14.3.

Advanced Statistics

The Tigers are 17th in the nation in offensive rating with 113.5. In terms of pace they are 72nd in the country with 73.2 possessions per 40 minutes, and their effective field goal percentage of 57% is 13th. As a team they are 13th in college basketball in true shooting percentage with 60% and they shoot 3-pointers on 35% of their shots, ranking 233rd in Division 1. LSU is 113th in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 17.9 times per 100 possessions.

Advanced Statistics

USC is 183rd in college basketball in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 16.6 times per 100 possessions. The Trojans are 140th in the country in offensive rating with 104.1. In terms of pace they are 59th in Division 1 with 73.5 possessions per 40 minutes, and their effective field goal percentage of 51% is 162nd. As a team they are 171st in D-1 in true shooting percentage with 54% and they shoot 3-pointers on 30% of their shots, ranking 312th in the nation.

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

Josh's Pick: Take USC +2

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