The No. 25 USC Trojans (6-3) will be at home in Galen Center when they clash with the Princeton Tigers (4-6). The games Over/Under (O/U) opened at 140.5 points with USC set as a 14-point favorite. Tip-off is scheduled for 11 p.m. ET on Tuesday, December 19, 2017, and it can be seen on Pac-12 Network.
Princeton Tigers vs. USC Trojans Free Preview
In the Tigers’ last outing, they had no trouble getting past the Cal Poly Mustangs, 80-60. Myles Stephens led Princeton in scoring with 16 points on 6-for-8 shooting. Princeton’s effective field goal percentage was their largest advantage over Cal Poly. The Tigers had a rate of 0.643 (above their season average of 0.531), while the Mustangs posted a mark of 0.446 (below the 0.541 mark opponents have averaged against Princeton this season).
The Trojans come in on a high note after beating the UC Santa Barbara Gauchos in their last matchup, 98-87. USC rallied around Jordan McLaughlin, who recorded 10 points and 19 assists. The Trojans had an absurd offensive rebounding percentage of 45.5 (above their season average of 34.6) and had an effective field goal percentage of 0.664 (above their season average of 0.497).
USC figures to have the edge on the offensive side of the ball. The Trojans rank 84th in offensive efficiency, while the Tigers rank 276th in defensive efficiency since last season. Moreover, the Tigers, who rank 328th in free throw attempt (FTA) rate (0.178), will square off against the Trojans, who rank 19th in opponents FTA rate (0.171).
Of Princeton’s 7 games with betting action, four have finished under the O/U total, while 4 of USC’s 8 games have finished under the O/U total. Looking at straight up (SU) and against the spread (ATS) records, the Trojans have a sizable advantage. They are 6-3 SU and 5-4 ATS, while the Tigers are 4-6 SU and 2-5 ATS.
Stephens has really been playing well over the last five games for Princeton, averaging 15.8 points and 5.8 rebounds per game.
Princeton Tigers vs. USC Trojans Betting Prediction
Predictions: SU Winner – USC, ATS Winner – Princeton, O/U – Under
Betting Notes (2016-Present):
- he Trojans rank 15th in blocks per game (5.4) while the Tigers rank 131st (3.0).
- rinceton allows the 39th-fewest steals per game (4.7) while USC ranks 48th (5.6).
- SC ranks 14th in rebounds per game (36.9) while Princeton ranks 260th (32.2).
- he Tigers rank 44th in three pointers allowed per game (19.4) while the Trojans rank 220th (23.2).
- SC ranks 45th in assists per game (15.5) while Princeton ranks 178th (13.9).
