USC vs Utah Predictions, College Basketball Expert Picks 2/23/2020

Game: USC Trojans vs Utah Utes

Date: Sunday, February 23, 2020

Location: Jon M. Huntsman Center in Salt Lake City, UT

TV: ESPNU

Odds/Point Spread: Utah -1

Total/Over-Under: 134.5

The USC Trojans travel to Jon M. Huntsman Center to play the Utah Utes on Sunday, February 23, 2020. The opening line for this matchup has Utah as 1 point favorites.

USC comes into this game with an overall record of 19-8. They currently have a point differential of 4.7 as they are averaging 71.6 points per game while giving up 66.9 per contest. Utah has an overall mark of 14-12. They are averaging 70.6 points per contest and giving up 69.8, which is a point differential of 0.8.

Valuable USC Trojans Betting Trends

The USC Trojans are 17-10-0 against the spread

The USC Trojans are 8-18-1 against the over/under

Important Utah Utes Betting Trends

The Utah Utes are 13-13-0 against the spread

The Utah Utes are 11-15-0 against the over/under

Key USC Trojans Injuries

12/16/19 G Charles O'Bannon Jr. Personal has left the program
02/22/20 G Kyle Sturdivant Personal is questionable Sunday vs Utah U

Key Utah Utes Injuries

No key injuries to report

Player Spotlight

Onyeka Okongwu comes into this contest averaging 16.6 points per game while playing 30.1 minutes per night this season. He pulls down 8.8 rebounds per game and dishes out 1.1 assists per game as well. His field goal percentage is 43% while his free throw percentage currently sits at 74%. Jonah Mathews averages 13.0 points per game in 32.0 minutes per contest this season. He averages 2.0 assists per contest and 2.3 rebounds per game. His field goal percentage is 38% for the year while his free throw percentage is 76%.

Player Spotlight

Timmy Allen averages 17.3 points per game while playing 35.2 minutes per contest this year. He grabs 7.2 rebounds per game and has 2.9 assists per contest on the year. His field goal percentage is 43% and his free throw percentage is at 74%. Rylan Jones averages 10.3 points per game this season and he sees the court an average of 32.4 minutes per contest. He also averages 3.1 rebounds per contest and 4.7 assists per game. His field goal percentage is 40% and his free throw percentage is 87%.

Useful Team Statistics

USC averages 71.6 points per contest this season, which ranks them 161st in the NCAA. Their average scoring margin is 4.7 and their shooting percentage is 44% as a team, which has them ranked 171st. Behind the arc they shoot 35% which is good for 102nd in the nation. They average 39.0 rebounds per game and 14.5 assists per game, which ranks them 40th and 72nd in those offensive categories. In the turnover department they rank 66th with 14.4 per game. The Trojans allow 66.9 points per game to their opponents which ranks them 113th in the country. They also allow a 39% shooting percentage and a 32% average from behind the arc, ranking them 20th and 113th in those defensive categories. Opponents average 35.2 rebounds a game which ranks 190th and they give up 12.1 assists per contest, which puts them in 147th place in Division 1. They force 13.0 turnovers per game which ranks them 141st in D-1.

Useful Team Statistics

Utah is 196th in the country with 70.6 points per game this year. They are 133rd in Division 1 in shooting at 45%, while their average scoring margin is 0.8. They shoot 32% from 3-point range, which is good for 227th in the nation. They are 145th in the NCAA in rebounding with 35.9 boards per game, and 107th in assists per contest with 14.1. The Utes are 152nd in turnovers per game with 13.5. The Utes surrender 69.8 points per contest, which ranks them 191st in D-1. Their defense allows a 44% shooting percentage and a 36% average from 3-point range, ranking them 226th and 306th in those defensive statistics. They rank 233rd with 13.4 assists allowed per contest and 98th with 33.3 rebounds surrendered per game. The Utes are 108th in country in forcing turnovers with 12.5 per game.

Advanced Statistics

The Trojans have an offensive rating of 100.2, which is ranked 203rd. They are 125th in college basketball in pace with 70.4 possessions per 40 minutes, and their eFG% of 49% is 216th. As a unit they are 219th in the nation in true shooting percentage with 52% and they shoot 3-pointers on 31% of their shot attempts, ranking 304th in D-1. USC is 107th in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 17.4 times per 100 possessions.

Advanced Statistics

Utah is 115th in the country in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 17.3 times per 100 possessions. The Utes have an offensive rating of 102.7, which is ranked 150th. They are 250th in D-1 in pace with 68.1 possessions per 40 minutes, and their eFG% of 51% is 133rd. As a unit they are 108th in college basketball in true shooting percentage with 55% and they shoot 3-pointers on 39% of their shot attempts, ranking 144th in the country.

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

Tony's Pick: Take Utah -1

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