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Arizona State Sun Devils vs USC Trojans Betting Preview

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Who would have guessed back five months ago that No. 17 USC (17-3, 11-2 Pac-12) would be trying to avoid a bad loss to Arizona State (7-9, 4-6) at home? It was supposed to be USC, Arizona State, UCLA and Oregon competing for a Pac-12 title and high seeds in the NCAA Tournament.

The Sun Devils now have no shot at making NCAA March Madness unless they make a miraculous run in the Pac-12 tournament.

Shaquielle McKissic of the Arizona State drives vs Julian Jacobs (USC Trojans). Arizona State Sun Devils vs USC Trojans betting preview
Ethan Miller / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA / AFP

Arizona State started 4-2 before losing six straight games, including awful losses to UTEP and Oregon State, which put a dagger in Bubby Hurley’s team’s chances of making the tournament as an at-large.

USC, on the other hand, has been a surprise and now finds itself trying to win a conference title, and maybe even a two seed in the NCAA Tournament. The Trojans have won six straight games and find themselves in first place in the conference by a game over UCLA.

If you are going to wager on this Arizona State Sun Devils vs USC Trojans betting contest, USC is a 10-point favorite, with the over/under set at 147 points in our college basketball odds.

Injury Bug Bites the Sun Devils

Arizona State has had multiple players miss time in the last week. Freshmen Josh Christopher and Marcus Bagley are game-time decisions after missing the last game, and junior forward Chris Osten is listed as day-to-day.

The Sun Devils have won three of their last four, but all three victories were in Tempe. Arizona State has struggled away from home, with its last win on the road coming against Grand Canyon back in early December.

Remy Martin leads the team in scoring (19.2) and assists (4.0). Martin has struggled outside of the arc but has shot 53% from two-point range.

If Christopher and Bagley do not play, expect Martin to get a lot of attention from USC defenders. Look for fellow senior Alonzo Verge Jr. to get a few more touches.

Verge is shooting 36.7% from 3-point range but only 38.2% from inside the arc. Sophomore Jaelen House has started to see more playing time and will be another option for Hurley to turn to.

Arizona State is ranked 88th by Kenpom. The offense is ranked 79th in efficiency, and the defense is 110th.

USC Climbing the Rankings

Two weeks ago, USC was receiving votes in the AP Poll. After defeating UCLA, the Trojans ranked 20th before climbing to 17th this week.

If USC can win at home against Arizona State, Arizona and Stanford, then go on the road and beat Colorado, the Trojans could find themselves in the top 10. The Trojans were not in the top 16 when the NCAA released its first rankings of the season but could easily be now after teams ahead of them lost.

Freshman Evan Mobley has been making college basketball news as he’s been every bit as good as advertised. Mobley leads USC in scoring (16.5), rebounds (9.0) and blocks (3.1). It is easy to see why NBA scouts are salivating over the chance to draft the 7-footer.

Tahj Eddy is the only other USC player averaging double figures at 13.5 points per game. Mobley’s older brother, Isaiah, is the team’s third-leading scorer at 9.3 points per contest.

Kenpom has USC ranked 12th overall. The offense is 29th in efficiency, while the defense ranks 10th. The Trojans have the fifth-best effective field-goal percentage against at .436.

Free Arizona State Sun Devils vs USC Trojans Betting Pick

When these two teams met in Tempe, USC prevailed with a 73-64 victory. Evan Mobley had a double-double with 19 points and 10 rebounds and also contributed six blocks.

The Trojans defense frustrated Christopher, holding him to 1-of-7 shooting from two-point range. Holland Woods was Arizona State’s leading scorer with 18 points.

USC is playing some of its best basketball of the season, and if the Sun Devils do not have Christopher or Bagley, this could be over early. Arizona State lacks size, so look for the Mobley brothers to dominate on the interior.

When making your college basketball picks, take USC and give the 10 points.

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