USC Trojans vs California Golden Bears Prediction, 1/23/2021 College Basketball Pick, Tips and Odds

Game: USC Trojans vs California Golden Bears

Date: Saturday, January 23, 2021

Location: Haas Pavilion in Berkeley, CA

TV: PAC12

Odds/Point Spread: USC (-8)

Haas Pavilion is the venue where and the California Golden Bears (7-9) will take on the USC Trojans (11-3) on Saturday. USC opens this contest as 8-point favorites. The O/U opens at 134.

USC comes into this game with a win-loss record of 11-3 so far this season. They are losing possession via turnover 12.6 times per game and as a group they are committing 17.0 fouls per game. As a unit, USC is pulling in 41.1 boards per game and has racked up 200 dimes this season, which has them ranked 73rd in the nation in terms of passing the ball. The Trojans are connecting on 33.2% on shots from distance (87 of 262) and 64.2% from the charity stripe. They are averaging 76.7 points per game (85th in the nation) while going 47.1% from the floor. On the defensive end of the court, the Trojans are forcing 12.2 turnovers every game while drawing 20.7 personal fouls. They are currently ranked 238th in Division 1 in allowing assists to their opponents with 173 relinquished on the season. The Trojans defensively are giving up a FG percentage of 37.3% (318 of 852) and they relinquish 33.3 boards per contest as a unit. They are relinquishing 32.2% on shots from distance while they are 50th in D-1 in PPG allowed (64.4).

The USC Trojans played the Oregon State Beavers and took a loss by a final of 58-56 in their last game. USC walked away from the contest with a 41.7% FG percentage (20 of 48) and made 6 of their 20 shots from beyond the perimeter. At the free throw line, the Trojans converted 10 of 18 tries for a percentage of 55.6%. When discussing hauling in boards, they earned 34 with 8 of them being of the offensive sort. They also doled out 12 assists in this game as well as earning 2 steals and 4 blocks. Regarding defense, USC allowed the other team to go 41.7% from the field on 20 out of 48 shooting. Oregon State dished out 15 assists and had 5 steals in the matchup. Furthurmore, the Beavers snagged 24 rebounds (1 offensive, 23 defensive) and earned 4 blocks. Oregon State shot 85.7% from the free throw line by converting 12 of 14 attempts. They also made 6 out of their 15 attempts from distance.

Evan Mobley is a player who was a contributor in this contest. He left the arena with 12 points on 5 out of 8 shooting. He played 35 mins and totaled 13 boards. Mobley went 62.5% from the field and also earned 2 assists. An additional guy that was a factor in the matchup for the Trojans was Drew Peterson. He snagged 2 rebounds and accounted for 2 assists. He finished shooting 33.3% from the floor in the game by connecting on 3-of-9 (10 points). When this game wrapped up, Peterson was on the hardwood for 28 min.

California has a win-loss record of 7-9 for the season. On the offensive side of the court, the Golden Bears are connecting on 45.2% from the field, which ranks them 135th in college basketball. California has accounted for 1,084 points on the campaign (67.8 per contest) and they average 31.7 rebounds per game. They are earning an assist 13.0 times per contest (195th in the nation) and they are losing possession via turnover 13.3 times per game. The Golden Bears are responsible for committing 17.1 fouls per game while shooting 66.6% from the free throw line. The Golden Bears on defense are ranked 154th in college basketball in PPG given up with 69.3. They have relinquished 14.0 dimes and 33.1 boards per game, which ranks them 240th and 91st in Division 1. The California defense surrenders 39.4% on shots from beyond the arc (124 of 315) and opponents are connecting on 71.5% of their free throw shots. They are able to force 12.6 TO's per game and have let teams shoot 45.6% from the field (268th in college hoops).

The last time they took the court, the California Golden Bears took a loss by a final score of 61-57 against the UCLA Bruins. The Golden Bears were able to snag 18 defensive rebounds and 2 offensive boards for a total of 20 in the matchup. They blocked 2 shots while recording 5 steals for the matchup. The Bruins committed 11 personal fouls in the game which got the Golden Bears to the charity stripe for a total of 7 attempts. They were able to make 5 of them for a rate of 71.4%. Concerning three-point attempts, California made 10 of their 22 tries (45.5%). Overall, the Golden Bears went 21 out of 53 from the floor which gave them a percentage of 39.6%. The Golden Bears permitted the Bruins to make 24 out of their 52 attempts from the floor which gave them a percentage of 46.2% in the matchup. They went 40.0% from beyond the perimeter by shooting 4 out of 10 and finished the contest at 9 of 12 at the free throw line (75.0%). With respect to rebounds, California permitted UCLA to grab 36 in all (9 on the offensive glass).

Grant Anticevich ended up having an impact for the Golden Bears in this matchup. He converted 8 of 11 for the matchup giving him a field goal percentage of 72.7%, which had him sitting at 21 points. Anticevich grabbed 3 boards in his 35 mins and had 3 dimes for the matchup. One more player who was a determining factor for California was Jarred Hyder. He notched 9 points in 25 minutes played by way of 4 out of 10 shooting for the game. Hyder walked away from this one going 40.0% from the floor and also earning 2 assists and 2 total rebounds.

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

Josh Schonwald's Pick: Take USC (-8)

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