It’s a battle of East versus West as Thursday’s schedule in the East Region concludes with the Providence Friars facing the USC Trojans in Raleigh. The Friars will have to overcome an ugly record in their recent trips to the Big Dance but feature a talented duo that could very well get them over the hump.
- USC is 5-15 SU in its last 20 games in March.
- Providence is 1-4 ATS in its last five games following a loss.
- USC is 2-6 ATS in its last eight games.
Providence has not had the most success in its limited number of NCAA Tournament appearances in recent years. Since an Elite Eight appearance in 1997, the Friars have lost all four of their games in the tournament. They have played well down the stretch this season, however, going 4-1 SU and 5-0 ATS in their last five games entering March Madness.
The Friars feature Big East Player of the Year Kris Dunn; an explosive guard that many compare, justifiably mind you, to Dwyane Wade. Dunn averaged 16 points, 5.5 board and 6.4 assists per game this season and gives Providence one of the most dynamic offensive players in the country. To make things worse for any of the Friars’ opponents during the tournament, sophomore Ben Bentil really emerged this season and led the team with 21.2 points per game, shooting just under 47 percent the field.
The Trojans enter the tournament wildly inconsistent both SU and ATS. They’ve won just three of their previous 10 games SU and have covered the spread in just three of those contests as well. USC is lead by sophomore guard Jordan McLaughlin but he has been to prone to the odd turnover down the stretch. Despite zero turnovers in USC’s loss to Utah, he had 12 in the four previous games.
Providence will find a tough competitor in USC, but the 1-2 punch of Dunn and Bentil should be enough to get the Friars their first tourney win since in almost 20 years.
Click here for a history of the No. 8 vs. No. 9 matchup.
Providence Friars vs USC Trojans Matchup
Team Betting Records & Power Rankings
USC Trojans battles the Providence Friars, currently sitting with a 23-10 mark (18-14 ATS). The OVER/UNDER records, always important for totals betting, are 18-15 for the USC Trojans and 19-13 for the Providence Friars.
The Odds Shark Power Rankings have the USC Trojans at No. 208 and the Providence Friars at No. 150 heading into this college basketball betting matchup.
Statistical Matchup
Rating these schools in several key categories is important for handicappers and USC has the nation's No. 18-rated offensive output, at 80.85 PPG. The visiting Providence Friars defense ranks No. 103 allowing on average 69.73 PPG. The Trojans FG% has averaged 45.76% so far, more than the USC Friars marksmen have achieved on the year, 42.2% per game.
Recent Outings Betting Recap
Providence suffered a 76-68 loss against Villanova on Friday, getting 18 points from Rodney Bullock in a losing effort at Madison Square Garden.
The Trojans got 24 points from Jordan McLaughlin, but it was Utah that prevailed in a 80-72 final on Thursday at MGM Grand.
- Providence is 5-0 ATS in its last 5 games
- Providence is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games
- The total has gone OVER in 6 of Providence's last 9 games
- USC is 2-6 ATS in its last 8 games
- USC is 2-5 SU in its last 7 games
- The total has gone OVER in 5 of USC's last 6 games
