USC Trojans (10-3) vs. Washington Huskies (9-4)
The 2022-23 college basketball season continues Friday, December 30, with the USC Trojans taking on the Washington Huskies in the Pac-12 Conference showdown at Alaska Airlines Arena in Seattle, Washington.
The tip-off is set for 10:00 PM ET. The Trojans, who open as slight 1-point road favorites, search for their sixth consecutive victory over the Huskies. The totals are listed at 141.5 points, so let’s take a closer look.
The USC Trojans (10-3; 6-7 ATS, 2-0 conf.) have done a great job over the last few weeks. After a couple of wins over California 66-51 and Oregon State 63-62 in the conference play, the Trojans have defeated Cal State Fullerton 64-50, Long Beach State 88-78, No. 19 Auburn 74-71, and Colorado State 73-64.
USC is coming off a nine-point victory against the Rams at the neutral site on December 21. The Trojans easily covered a 3-point spread, holding Colorado State to 37.7% shooting from the field and 18.5% from beyond the arc. USC made 53.1% of its field goals (9-for-19 from deep), while senior guard Boogie Ellis led the way with 19 points and a couple of assists and steals. The Trojans handed out 16 dishes but also committed 22 turnovers.
PLAY 1: @DrewPet erson23 loses his defender and dunks with one hand
PLAY 2: @BoogieEllis finishes the alley-oop from @DrewPeterson23
PLAY 3: @iamkijaniwright throws it down with two hands pic.twitter.com/BrOthwYY2m
— USC Men's Basketball (@USC_Hoops) December 22, 2022
The Trojans are No. 86 in the NCAA NET Rankings and No. 67 in the KenPom rankings. They score 106.5 points per 100 possessions (86th in the country) on 46.3% shooting from the field (118th). The Trojans rely on their defense and surrender 95.1 points per 100 possessions (52nd). USC’s defense ranks 13th in the nation in 2-point percentage (41.9%) and 16th in blocks per game (5.6).