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— Thursday, February 17th Washington Huskies @ USC Trojans
A pair of teams in the top five of the Pac-12 standings go head-to-head on Thursday as the Washington Huskies (13-10, 8-5) travel south to face the No. 17 USC Trojans (21-4, 10-4). USC is tied for second in the conference, three losses behind Arizona, while Washington can move into a tie for third with a win.
Thursday’s game tips at 11:30 p.m. ET at the Galen Center in Los Angeles, airing on Pac-12 Network.
These teams have not yet met in 2022. Last year the Trojans won both games by a combined 42 points, and they have won three in a row in the series. Washington last won at USC in December of 2017, and the Trojans are 6-4 in the last ten.
Huskies Ride Brown
Washington is 12-11 ATS this season, and the over is 12-11 in their 23 games. They are just 5-5 way from home, 3-4 in true road games. They are 0-2 against ranked teams this season, with both losses coming to Arizona by 16 points and 24 points.
The Huskies’ offense ranks 187th in the nation in scoring (70.8 ppg), and they are in the bottom 50 in shooting. Washington makes just 40.6% of their shots and 31.3% from the 3-point range. Defensively they allow 45% shooting, 33.3% from deep, and give up 72.4 ppg while grabbing just 33.4 rebounds per game.
Terrell Brown Jr. leads the team in scoring at 22.1 ppg while Emmitt Matthews Jr. is the only other player in double figures at 11.2. Nate Roberts leads the team with 6.6 rpg while Brown averages 4.3 apg and 2.3 steals per game. Matthews leads the team with 31 3-pointers on the season at 34.1%.
Brown has scored in double figures in all 23 games this season, and he has topped 25 points on nine occasions. Brown makes 5.5 free throws per game and shoots 46% from the field. He scored 29 points in Saturday’s loss to Arizona.
Trojans Use Balance
USC is 13-12 ATS, and the under is 14-11 in their 25 games. After an undefeated non-conference slate, USC has losses to Oregon, Arizona, and two against Stanford. They are 11-2 at home with losses to Oregon and Stanford, but they beat arch-rival UCLA at home last weekend.
USC averages 73.1 ppg, and they shoot 46% from the field, 35% from the 3-point range. The Trojans’ defense ranks seventh in the nation in shooting at 37.8%, and they allow just 31% behind the arc. USC ranks 40th, allowing 63.6 ppg, and they are 10th in the nation at 41.5 rpg.
Isaiah Mobley leads USC in scoring (14.7 ppg) and rebounding (8.5) while shooting 39% from 3-point range. Mobley has made 37 3-pointers on the season and is shooting over 40% from deep in home games. He scored 15 in the win over UCLA and is averaging 18 ppg in the last three contests.
USC has four players in double figures. In addition to Mobley, Boogie Ellis is at 12.2 ppg, with Chevez Goodwin at 11.8 and Drew Peterson at 11.6. The latter two both average 6.5 rpg, and Peterson leads the team at 3.3 apg.
Betting Analysis
- Washington Huskies +11 (-110). Money line +460
- USC Trojans -11 (-110). Money line -640
- Total Points: 139.5. Over -110. Under -110
Washington has really struggled against good teams this season with blowout losses to Arizona (twice) and Oregon. They have played just four road games since January 15, going 2-2. USC has balanced scoring, strong rebounding, and good shooting, while the Huskies rely too much on one good player.
Betting Pick: USC -11 (-110)
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