The USC Trojans and the Rutgers Scarlet Knights meet Sunday in college basketball action from the Jersey Mike’s Arena. We will look at this from a betting perspective and determine the best bets for this game. Here’s a USC vs. Rutgers prediction.
Matchup History
This will be the first meeting between these two teams all-time.
USC Recap
The USC Trojans come into this game looking to bounce back from an 88-71 loss at the hands of Maryland in their last game to sit at 14-12 on the year. After this game, USC will head home for a matchup with Ohio State.
Trojans Drop Back-To-Back Games & 4 Of Last 5
Desmond Claude leads USC in scoring and assists with 16 PPG and 4.4 APG along with 3.7 RPG while Chibuzo Agbo has 12.1 PPG with 4.6 RPG. Wesley Yates III has 12.8 PPG while Saint Thomas has 10 PPG with a team-high 6.1 RPG to lead the Trojans on the glass so far this season. Josh Cohen also has 7 PPG with 2.5 RPG while Rashaun Agee has 6.8 PPG with 3.5 RPG as well on the year. As a team, USC is averaging 76.6 PPG on 48.3% shooting from the field, 36.3% from three and 73.2% from the foul line this season.
Why the USC Trojans will win
- Rutgers has lost each of its last 10 Sunday games.
Rutgers Recap
The Rutgers Scarlet Knights come into this game looking to build on an 89-85 win over the Washington Huskies last time out to sit at 13-14 on the year. After this game, Rutgers will head on the road for a game against the Michigan Wolverines.
Scarlet Knights Looking To Build Some Momentum
Dylan Bailey leads the Scarlet Knights in scoring and assists with 19.2 PPG and 4 APG along with 4.7 RPG while Ace Bailey has 18.6 PPG with a team-high 7.4 RPG as the only other double-digit scorer for Rutgers up to this point in the year. Jeremiah Williams also has 7.1 PPG and Lathan Sommerville has 7.4 PPG with 4.2 RPG. Jordan Derkack’s also added 6.3 PPG, 3.1 RPG and 2.1 APG as well on the year. As a team, Rutgers is averaging 76 PPG on 44.4% shooting from the field, 33.3% from three and 71.2% from the foul line this season.
Why the Rutgers Scarlet Knights will win
- Rutgers has won 26 of its last 28 games at Jersey Mike’s Arena when playing with a rest advantage.
- USC has lost each of its last six Sunday road games.
Total Points Facts
- Each of Rutgers’ last eight Sunday home games against Conference opponents have produced a total of 141 or fewer points.
- Each of USC’s last four road games against non-AP-ranked opponents have produced a total of 152 or fewer points.
USC vs. Rutgers Prediction
I’m on the Rutgers Scarlet Knights in this game. USC just has fallen off of a cliff on the road and I’m just really not sure what to make of this team in general. Rutgers has moments that are questionable in their own right, but usually, Rutgers is the team with the best two players on the floor whenever they take the court. I think that USC is starting to fall off of a cliff and I think that the Scarlet Knights get themselves the win and cover at home in this game.