Miami Vs. USC Odds, Picks, and Predictions (3/18/22)

By Scott Steinberg | Mar 17, 2022, 9:28am

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Miami received an at large bid to the NCAA tournament with an ACC record of 14-6; 23-10 overall. The Hurricanes lost to the Duke Blue Devils, 80-76 this past Friday evening in the ACC tournament semifinals. Kameron McGusty led Miami with 24 points and Jordan Miller had 17 points and 11 rebounds in the loss. USC received an at large bid to the NCAA tournament with an overall record of 26-7; 14-6 in Pac-12 play. In the Pac-12 conference tournament semifinals, USC lost 69-59 to UCLA. Boogie Ellis made five three-pointers and scored 27 points for the Trojans in the loss. Heading into the NCAA tournament, USC has lost three of their last four games.

Miami Vs. USC Betting Odds

In the matchup between the Hurricanes and Trojans, USC is a 1.5-point favorite; the O/U is 140.5. Miami is 7-1 against the spread in their last eight games following a straight up loss. Over is 7-1 in the Hurricanes last eight neutral site games as an underdog. Miami is 3-0-1 against the spread in their last four Friday games. USC is 4-0 against the spread in their last four NCAA Tournament games as a favorite. The Trojans are 7-1 against the spread in their last eight NCAA Tournament games. USC is 0-8 against the spread in their last eight games as a favorite. The Trojans have won the previous two meetings with the Hurricanes; the last time was in 1992.

Miami Odds

Miami is making their first appearance in the NCAA tournament since 2018. It will be their 11^th appearance overall, fifth under head coach Jim Larranaga who has led the Hurricanes to the Sweet 16 twice. Miami’s last NCAA tournament win was 2016 over Wichita State. The Hurricanes rank 17^th nationally in adjusted offensive efficiency and according to KenPom, Miami is 157^th in defensive efficiency.

The Hurricanes three guard front of Kameron McGusty, Isaiah Wong and Charlie Moore help create matchup problems for their opponents, USC will not be different. McGusty is Miami’s leading scorer this season averaging 17.6 points per game. He’s shooting 48% from the floor while averaging 4.8 rebounds per game, 2.5 assists per game and 1.7 steals per game. The senior guard is the Hurricanes most dangerous player as he was named first-team All-ACC this season. Isaiah Wong is Miami’s second leading scorer averaging 15.2 points per game. Additionally, Wong is averaging 4.3 rebounds per game and two assists per contest. Point guard Charlie Moore is regarded as the glue that holds the team together. Moore leads the club in assists per game with 4.5. He’s averaging 12.6 points per game and 2.5 rebounds per game. Guard Jordan Miller leads the Hurricanes in rebounds per game with 6.1 and field goal percentage at 55.9 while averaging 10.2 points per game.

USC Odds

USC is one of three Pac-12 schools in the NCAA tournament; they’ll be making their 20^th appearance in the tournament overall. The Trojans made it to the Elite Eight last season for the first time in 20 years.

The Trojans are led by two All-Pac-12 players, Isaiah Mobley, and Drew Peterson. Transfers Boogie Ellis and Chevez Goodwin are also key contributors to USC. Sophomore Isaiah Mobley leads the team in scoring at 14.3 points per game and rebounding at 8.5 rebounds per game. Playing 34 minutes a game, he’s also dishing out 3.2 assists per game. Boogie Ellis is second on the squad in scoring, averaging 12.8 points per game. The transfer from Memphis is averaging 30.3 minutes per game, 3.3 rebounds per game and 2.5 assists per contest. Drew Peterson leads the Trojans in assists per game at 3.3. The senior guard is averaging 12.3 points per game and 6.2 rebounds per game in 2021-22. Chevez Goodwin is shooting 57% from the field which leads USC. The forward is averaging 11 points per game and 6.5 rebounds per game this season.

USC is one of the top offensive rebounding clubs in the nation and a solid defensive rebounding squad. Overall, the Trojans have grabbed 33.8 percent of its missed shots, which is 26^th in the country. USC has allowed opponents to grab 27.2 percent of their misses, which is 133^rd in the country, per NCAA.com. USC’s ability to rebound the ball will be key if they are to advance in the tournament.

Miami Vs. USC Picks & Prediction

Miami is averaging 74.8 points per game; tied for 85^th in the country and 14 assists per game; 119^th in the nation. Defensively the Hurricanes are allowing 71 points per game. Miami has an 8-10 record in the NCAA tournament. USC is averaging 72.6 points per game; 151^st in the nation and 14.2 assists per game; 108^th in the country. On the defensive end the Trojans are allowing 65.9 points per game. USC has an 16-22 record in the NCAA tournament. I like the underdog Miami Hurricanes to win this game, with the clubs combining to go for over 140.5 points.

March Madness Bracket

Scott Steinberg

Scott has been a sports fan since he received a New York Mets jacket as a toddler. He’s been playing fantasy baseball and football for over 20 years, dating back to Frank Thomas being one of his first fantasy baseball picks. As a professional, he has covered the NFL, MLB, NCAAF, and NCAAB and is looked to as the go-to guy for fantasy sports amongst family, friends, and co-workers.