The USC Trojans and the Arizona State Sun Devils meet Thursday in college basketball action at the Desert Financial Arena in Tempe, Arizona. The USC Trojans have won four of the team’s last five games played, including a 79-72 win over the University of California. The Arizona State Sun Devils have lost three consecutive basketball games.
The USC Trojans are averaging 74.52 points a game on 47.24 percent shooting. Defensively, the Trojans are allowing 63.48 points a contest on 37.90 percent shooting. Through 15 games played this season, USC Trojan forward Isaiah Mobley is averaging 14.9 points, 8.5 rebounds, and 3.3 assists a contest. Trojan guard Boogie Ellis is averaging 12.6 points and 3.3 rebounds. USC Trojan forward Chevez Goodwin is averaging 12.2 points and 7.0 rebounds a game. The USC Trojans are shooting 35.64 percent from three-point range and 63.73 percent from the free-throw line. It should also be noted that the USC Trojans are allowing opposing teams to shoot 32.69 percent from behind the arc.
The Arizona State Sun Devils are averaging 62.72 points a game on 38.90 percent shooting. On defense, the Sun Devils are allowing 68.67 points a contest on 40.54 percent shooting. Through 15 games played this season, Arizona State guard DJ Horne is averaging 13.8 points, 3.0 rebounds, and 1.5 assists a game. Sun Devils forward Kimani Lawrence is averaging 10.4 points and 7.1 rebounds a contest. The Arizona State Sun Devils are shooting 28.19 percent from behind the arc and 66.95 percent from the free-throw line. Additionally, the Sun Devils are allowing opposing teams to shoot 33.72 percent from three-point range.
The game total has gone over in 6 of USC’s last 9 games played. The Trojans are 17-3 SU in their last 20 games played. The USC Trojans are 7-0 ATS in their last 7 games against Arizona State. The Arizona State Sun Devils are 1-6 SU in their last 7 games played. The game total has gone under in 8 of Arizona State’s last 9 games played.
The USC Trojans are a team that has played consistently good basketball this season. The Trojans have played 21 games. USC has only lost three of the 21 games just mentioned. In direct contrast to USC, the Arizona State Sun Devils have not been a good basketball team this season. The Sun Devils will arrive at Thursday night’s game on the heels of a three game losing streak. I am backing the USC Trojans to win this game and to cover the 6 point spread in the process.