Both of these schools lost their Pac-12 opener, but at 10:00 p.m. EDT this Saturday, have a shot at their first win. The USC Trojans (6-6; 5-7-0 ATS) are still in Oregon, this time preparing to take on the Oregon State Beavers (8-4; 3-7-1 ATS). The game is in Gill Coliseum, where the Beavers won the last time these teams met. It snapped a four-game head-to-head winning streak by USC. Can the Beavers double down, or are the Trojans going to get back in the win column?
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The Trojans, who were ranked to open the season, anticipated a better record than 6-5 when beginning their final Pac-12 season. A loss to Oregon made it 6-6 on Thursday. Saturday's game presents the chance to at least enter 2024 with a winning record. Led by Boogie Ellis (18.7 ppg), USC uses 78.2 points per game to compete. They shoot 34.8% from beyond the arc and 44.9% overall. The Trojans connect on 71.9% of their free throws. USC has reached 70 points in nine straight games, so win or loss they expect to score points.
Defensively, the Trojans often get into trouble. They allow 73.8 points per contest and in their two road losses (in three tries) USC gave up 173 total points. Although foes only shoot 41.6% against them, opponents knock down 33.7% of threes. The Trojans also allow 19.1 free throw attempts per game, although that's potentially a symptom of their high tempo. USC typically finishes ahead in rebo unding and turnovers but doesn't dominate. Can the Trojans have a strong road performance?