Idaho State (0-1) vs. USC (1-0)
November 7, 2024 10:00 pm EDT
The Line: USC -23; Over/Under: +138.5
(Get latest betting odds)
The Idaho State Bengals and the USC Trojans meet Thursday in college basketball action from Galen Center. Here’s a USC vs Idaho State prediction. We will look at this from a betting perspective and determine the best USC vs Idaho State pick.
Idaho State Bengals Betting Preview
Last season Idaho State managed a pretty rough 14-20 overall record with a 7-11 run in the Big Sky Conference. The Bengals finished ahead of only Idaho and Sacramento State with that effort, but would make it to the semifinals of the conference tournament. Idaho State lost to Montana in that one.
In Tuesday’s opener matchup versus Arizona State, the Bengals were outscored 31-20 in the first half and eventually lost 55-48. Isaiah Griffin was the team’s top scorer with 12 points and seven boards. Jake O’Neil doubled up on 10 points and 11 rebounds.
USC Trojans Betting Preview
Over on the Trojans’ side, they’re coming off a 15-18 record last year. USC went 8-12 in Pac-12 play, which left them ahead of Stanford, Arizona State and Oregon State in the standings. The Trojans’ final game was a loss to Arizona in the conference tourney quarterfinals.
In their opener matchup of the 2024-25 campaign the Trojans took on Chattanooga. USC went into the second half with a 10-point lead and eventually pulled off the win 77-51. Chibuzo Agbo was tops in scoring with 14 points and four boards. Matt Knowling added 13 points as well.
Why the USC Trojans will win
- Idaho State has lost each of its last six road games against non-Conference opponents.
- USC has won each of its last five games against the Big Sky Conference.
- USC has won the first half in each of its last four games against the Big Sky Conference.
Why the Idaho State Bengals will win
- Idaho State has won each of its last six Thursday night games against non-Conference opponents.
- USC has lost three of its last four night games at Galen Center following a home win.
- Idaho State has won the first half in each of its last five Thursday night games against non-Conference opponents.
USC vs Idaho State Prediction
I’ll probably just stay with USC here. The Trojans didn’t have too many issues with an overmatched Chattanooga team on Tuesday. USC posted 50 percent shooting from the field with 36 rebounds, 21 assists and just nine turnovers. On defense the Trojans allowed only 27.8 percent shooting overall and 17.6 percent (6-of-34) from 3-point range. That said, pretty much everyone expected a mismatch—which is what we got.
As for Idaho State, they shot abysmally overall in the loss to Arizona State. The Bengals hit just 25.4 percent from the field, 14.3 percent (4-of-28) from 3-point range and 10-of-13 (76.9 percent) from the line. The good news is that Idaho State had 46 rebounds with a 16-8 edge on the offensive glass. I like a few more shots to fall this time but I don’t think the Bengals will get close.
