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NCAA Basketball Predictions: Bet on USC to Edge Win Against Kansas State
The college basketball season kicks off Monday, and one of the more exciting matchups of the day is the USC Trojans against the Kansas State Wildcats in the Hall of Fame Series. Both teams made it to the NCAA Tournament a season ago, with Kansas State making it to the Elite Eight, hoping to make it back. The Trojans begin the season ranked No. 21, and our college basketball odds have them as the slight favorite to win the season opener.
USC Aims for Strong Start
After a first-round exit in the NCAA Tournament last season, the Trojans hope to start fresh with a solid win over a strong opponent.
USC was one of the top-scoring offenses in the Pac-12 a season ago, averaging 72.5 points a game, and with its scoring leader back in Boogie Ellis, who averaged 17.7 points and 3.1 assists a game, the team hopes to start strong again.
The Trojans will also be rolling with some new faces, in particular, Pac-12 Preseason Freshman of the Year Isaiah Collier, who finished as the No. 2 recruit in the Class of 2023.
Though USC may rely on some freshmen, having Ellis lead the way while they adjust should help the squad remain a solid NCAA basketball pick.
Our first shootaround of the season is complete as we get ready for tonight’s game at South Carolina!#SpartanArmy ⚔️ pic.twitter.com/OPJAtwuhgD
— USC Upstate Men’s Basketball (@UpstateMBB) November 6, 2023
Kansas State Makes Changes
The Wildcats made it to the Elite Eight in the NCAA Basketball Tournament last season, but their team will look a little different this time around.
Kansas State will be without its two leading scorers, Markquis Nowell and Keyontae Johnson, after both departed for the NBA, instead relying on some transfers such as Tylor Perry and Arthur Kaluma.
Perry led North Texas last season with 17.3 points and 2.1 assists per game on 41.3% shooting from beyond the arc, while Kaluma brings tournament experience after helping Creighton to its Elite Eight. He finished last season with 11.8 points and six rebounds a game.
It may take some time for this team to develop chemistry, so bettors may want to see how the Wildcats start before looking at some NCAAB live betting odds.
USC vs Kansas Betting Odds
USC vs Kansas State Best Bet
Monday’s matchup shouldn’t be one to miss, as college basketball lines only slightly favor the Trojans by three points. Still, despite the expected close game from the sportsbook, USC should be able to come away with a win due to having more returning experience.
Kansas State lost its top two scorers in Nowell and Johnson, leaving the Wildcats in need of finding a new leading scorer. With several transfers coming in, it may take some time for their offense to flow, and against a solid USC team, there’s not much time for that.
The return of Ellis was big for the Trojans, as he should lead a solid offense once again. Together with Collier, who should make an immediate impact, the two should help lead the Trojans past the Wildcats.
- College Basketball Pick: USC Trojans (-155)
USC vs Kansas State Game Information
- Game: (No. 21) USC (0-0) vs Kansas State (0-0)
- Location: T-Mobile Arena, Las Vegas, NV
- Day/Time: Monday, Nov. 6, 10 p.m. ET
- USC vs Kansas State Live Stream: TBS.com
Questions of the Day
Which team offers the best value for over/under bets?
With a pair of solid defenses, taking either team to go under would be a smart bet.
Which team is the most likely to surprise everyone?
Since USC is rated, Kansas State is most likely to surprise everyone if they can put things together by the start of the conference season.
The odds and predictions in the article are based on the time of writing and publication. They may differ as to when the actual event takes place.
