USC (5-1) vs. St. Mary's (6-0)
November 28, 2024 9:00 pm EDT
The Line: St. Mary's -4.5; Over/Under: +142
(Get latest betting odds)
The USC Trojans and Saint Mary’s Gaels meet Thursday in college basketball action at the Acrisure Arena. Here’s a St. Mary’s vs USC Prediction. This article will include a St. Mary’s vs USC Pick.
USC Trojans Betting Preview
The USC Trojans beat San Jose State and Grambling, and they play Oregon, Washington and Montana State next. The USC Trojans are averaging 79.6 points on 50 percent shooting and allowing 70.8 points on 44.4 percent shooting. Terrance Williams Jr. is averaging 13.3 points and 1 assist, while Desmond Claude is averaging 12.8 points and 3.7 assists. Josh Cohen is the third double-digit scorer and Chibuzo Agbo is grabbing 3.7 rebounds. The USC Trojans are shooting 33.1 percent from beyond the arc and 72.6 percent from the free throw line. The USC Trojans are allowing 37.5 percent shooting from deep and are grabbing 33.8 rebounds per game.
Saint Mary’s Gaels Betting Preview
The Saint Mary’s Gaels beat Nebraska and Cal Poly, and they play UTSA, Utah and Boise State next. The Saint Mary’s Gaels are averaging 80.8 points on 47.7 percent shooting and allowing 64.6 points on 39.9 percent shooting. Augustas Marciulionis is averaging 14.7 points and 6.2 assists, while Paulius Murauskas is averaging 14.3 points and 10.3 rebounds. Mikey Lewis is the third double-digit scorer and Luke Barrett is dishing 1.2 assists. The Saint Mary’s Gaels are shooting 31.8 percent from beyond the arc and 66.7 percent from the free throw line. The Saint Mary’s Gaels are allowing 34.2 percent shooting from deep and are grabbing 48.2 rebounds per game.
Why the Saint Mary’s Gaels will win
- Saint Mary’s has won 23 of its last 24 games against non-AP-ranked opponents.
- USC has lost three of its last four games played at neutral venues.
- Saint Mary’s has won the first half in 27 of its last 29 games against non-AP-ranked opponents.
St. Mary’s vs USC Prediction
Neither USC nor St. Mary’s has been tested up to this point, so this will be a measuring stick game. I simply trust the Saint Mary’s Gaels more as they’re experienced, get good looks offensively and defend at a high level. USC has athletes and can be explosive offensively, but the Trojans are known for going through droughts and questionable play. Heck, we saw USC already lose to Cal as 7 point underdogs. I’ll lay the reasonable number with the Gaels.
