Utah vs USC 1/22/22 College Basketball Picks, Predictions, Odds
USC Trojans (15-2) vs. Utah Runnin' Utes (8-11)
January 22, 2022 6:30 pm EDT
The Line: Utah Runnin' Utes +6 / USC Trojans -6 ; Over/Under: 140.5
(Get latest betting odds)
The 16th ranked USC Trojans will travel to the Jon M. Huntsman Center to take on the Utah Utes this Saturday night in College Basketball action.
The 16th ranked USC Trojans improved to 15-2 on the season after defeating the Colorado Buffaloes, 61-58, this past Thursday. In a tight, back-and-forth game, USC was able to pull away late for the impressive road victory after a pair of FT’s by Max Agbonkpolo gave the Trojans a 61-56 lead with just :06 seconds left in regulation. USC shot 37.1% from the field & 25.0% from beyond the arc while allowing Colorado to shoot 31.4% from the field & 46.7% from beyond the arc. Leading the way for the Trojans was Chevez Good win who had a double-double with 14 points, 18 rebounds, & 3 blocks.
On the season, USC is averaging 74.6 ppg on 47.2% shooting from the field. The Trojans are averaging 6.3 three-pointers per game on 34.5% shooting from beyond the arc. Offensively, USC has been led by Isaiah Mobley (15.1 ppg, 9.0 rpg, 3.0 apg, 1.0 bpg), Chevez Goodwin (13.1 ppg, 7.7 rpg), Boogie Ellis (12.5 ppg, 3.5 rpg, 3.5 apg, 2.8 apg), & Drew Peterson (10.5 ppg, 5.7 rpg, 3.1 apg).
Defensively, USC is holding their opponents to an average of 63.2 ppg on 37.1% shooting from the field. The Trojans have a rebound margin of 8.1 and a turnover margin of -0.5.
The Utah Utes lost their 7th straight game and dropped to 8-11 on the season after being defeated by the 9th ranked UCLA Bruins, 63-58, this past Thursday. Utah gave UCLA all they could handle in a tight, back-and-forth game, however, the Utes offense struggled down the stretch and could not fight back after the Bruins took a 56-54 lead with 3:44 left in regulation. Utah shot 36.7% from the field & 42.3% from beyond the arc while allowing UCLA to shoot 38.3% from the field & 29.4% from beyond the arc. Leading the way for the Utes was Lazar Stefanovic who had 18 points, 2 rebounds, & 2 assists.
On the season, Utah is averaging 70.1 ppg on 41.8% shooting from the field. The Utes are averaging 7.6 three-pointers per game on 33.6% shooting from beyond the arc. Offensively, Utah has been led by Branden Carlson (13.5 ppg, 6.4 rpg, 1.5 apg, 2.1 bpg), Both Gach (10.8 ppg, 2.7 rpg, 2.2 apg), Marco Anthony (8.6 ppg, 7.1 rpg, 1.8 apg), & Rollie Worster (7.4 ppg, 4.3 rpg, 2.9 apg). Utah will be without Branden Carlson who is out until early February.
Defensively, Utah is allowing their opponents to average 68.9 ppg on 42.7% shooting from the field. The Utes have a rebound margin of 3.0 and a turnover margin of -3.4.
The Trojans are 3-6 ATS in their last 9 games & 4-14 ATS in their last 18 games vs. Utah. The Utes are 4-10 ATS in their last 14 games & 2-5 ATS in their last 7 Saturday games.
USC has been solid on both ends of the court and come into this game ranked 43rd in FG%, 43rd in scoring defense, & 4th in defensive FG%. Utah has struggled this season and come into this game ranked just 222nd in scoring offense, 287th in FG%, & 179th in scoring defense.
Utah had an impressive performance vs. UCLA, however, the Utes have really struggled overall and it’s hard to see their offense having much success against USC’s tough defense without their top scorer. USC is coming off an impressive win at Colorado and as they already beat Utah at home by 20 points this season, I think the Trojans do enough to cover this mid-range road spread.
