California Golden Bears (4-9) vs. USC Trojans (6-7)
California Golden Bears vs. USC Trojans 1/3/24 – At this year’s NCAA Men’s Basketball tournament, an intriguing contest between California Golden Bears and USC Trojans promises to make for a pivotal match-up between them on Wednesday evening in Galen Center – PACN is airing this contest live – which promises a great chance of free top NCAAB picks! Fans and bettors will both closely be watching.
California Golden Bears despite their less-than-ideal record have displayed some notable strengths and weaknesses this season. Offensively, they average 75.8 points per game on offense with 43.3% field goal shooting efficiency and 32.9% 3-point shooting efficiency; defensively however they have suffered; as evidenced by being outscored significantly recently and averages of 37.9 rebounds and 11.8 assists per game but their turnover rate of 13.3 remains an issue.
On the other hand, USC Trojans exhibit a more balanced team. Averaging 77.5 points per game with 45.3% field goal and 35.1% 3-point shooting percentages respectively; their defense is stronger compared to Golden Bears and they boast 17-3 record in last 20 home games; additionally they outshone Golden Bears in terms of assists and steals per game as an indicator of more cohesive and aggressive play style.
California Golden Bears vs. USC Trojans 1/3/24 Game Info
| When: | Wednesday, January 3, 2024 at 10:00 PM ET |
| Where: | Galen Center |
| TV: | PACN |
| Stream: | Sofascore |
Jaylon Tyson (Guard) vs. Boogie Ellis (Guard)
Jaylon Tyson has been the lone bright spot for the Golden Bears this season. The talented guard is averaging 19.6 points, 7.3 rebounds and 3.3 assists per game while shooting 48.1% from the field. His dynamic scoring ability could pose problems for USC’s defense. However, Tyson has struggled with turnovers, coughing the ball up 3.6 times per contest. He will need to limit those miscues against a Trojans team that forces 14 turnovers per game.
For USC, Boogie Ellis has been the team’s top performer, averaging 18.8 points and 3.2 assists while shooting 44.9% from the floor and 44.1% from three. The quick guard excels at creating his own shot. However, Ellis has been prone to poor shooting nights, most recently going 4-of-16 against Washington. He will need an efficient offensive outing for the Trojans to take down California.
This matchup pits two talented guards against one another. Tyson will look to exploit Ellis’ occasional defensive lapses. Meanwhile, Ellis will try to force turnovers against the giveaway-prone Tyson. Whichever player gets the better of this matchup could determine which team comes out on top.
NCAAB Odds/Point Spread: TBD, Total Odds: TBD
The betting odds for this game are currently TBD, reflecting the unpredictability of this matchup. Given the trends and team performances, the odds are likely to favor USC, especially considering their home game advantage and slightly better record.
California Golden Bears Betting Trends
The Golden Bears are 1-4 against the spread (ATS) over their last five contests and have failed to cover in seven of their last nine. California is also 0-5 straight up in their last five road games. Furthermore, the Golden Bears are just 2-5 ATS in their previous seven meetings with USC. With California struggling on the road and against the Trojans, this doesn’t appear to be a favorable spot betting-wise for the Golden Bears.
USC Trojans Betting Trends
The Trojans have dropped five of their last six straight up, part of a 1-5 ATS run over that same stretch. However, USC is 5-0 straight up in its last five home games against California. The Trojans are also 17-3 straight up in their previous 20 contests at Galen Center. While USC has struggled recently, their extended home dominance over the Golden Bears cannot be ignored.
California Golden Bears vs. USC Trojans 1/3/24 Betting Picks
By all indications, the USC Trojans appear to be the safer bet in this matchup based on current trends and performance. Their stronger home record and marginally better overall performance give them an edge against the Golden Bears; however, college basketball remains highly unpredictable, making this matchup an exciting betting event for bettors.
In terms of prop bets and over/under, considering the high-scoring nature of both teams and their defensive challenges, betting on a high total score could be wise. The key to this game will likely be the performance of the star players – Tyson for California and Ellis for USC. Whichever player manages to outshine the other could tilt the game in their team’s favor. As a handicapper’s favorite pick, the prediction leans towards a close but high-scoring game, with USC likely to edge out a win at home.
Free Pick and Prediction: USC Trojans 78, California Golden Bears 72