USC vs St. Mary’s Prediction College Basketball Picks 11/28/24

The USC Trojans and the Saint Mary’s Gaels meet Thursday in college basketball action from the Acrisure Arena. We will look at this from a betting perspective and determine the best bets for this game. Here’s a USC vs. Saint Mary’s prediction.

USC Recap

The USC Trojans come into this one looking to build on their 80-69 win over Grambling last time out to move to 5-1 on the year.

Trojans Win Back-To-Back Games

Desmond Claude has 12.8 PPG along with 3.5 RPG and 3.7 APG while Terrance Williams II has 13.3 PPG with 4.5 RPG. Josh Cohen has 12 PPG while Chibuzo Agbo added 11.7 PPG and 3.7 RPG as well on the year. Wesley Yates III has 10.5 PPG to round out the group of double-digit scorers for USC up to this point in the year. Saint Thomas also has 9.2 PPG with team-highs of 5.7 RPG and 5.5 APG to lead the Trojans in rebounding and assists up to this point in the season. As a team, USC is averaging 79.7 PPG on 50% shooting from the field, 33.1% from three, and 72.6% from the foul line this season.  

Why the USC Trojans will win

• USC has won nine of its last 10 games against non-AP-ranked opponents.
• Saint Mary’s has lost three of its last four night games against non-AP-ranked opponents at a neutral venue.

Saint Mary’s Recap

The Saint Mary’s Gaels come into this game with the hopes of improving on their 6-0 start after an 80-66 win over Cal Poly last time out. Saint Mary’s will meet UTSA, Utah, Boise State, Merrimack, and Utah State after this one.

Gaels Looking To Remain Unbeaten

Augustas Marciulionis leads the Gaels in scoring and assists with 14.7 PPG and 6.2 RPG while Paulius Murauskas has 14.3 PPG and 10.3 RPG to lead the Gaels on the glass, averaging a double-double per game this season. Mikey Lewis has 13 PPG and Luke Barrett has 12.3 PPG with 7.5 RPG to cap off the group of double-digit scorers for Saint Mary’s up to this point in the year. As a team, Saint Mary’s is averaging 80.7 PPG on 47.7% shooting from the field, 31.8% from three, and 66.7% from the foul line this season.

Why the Saint Mary’s Gaels will win

• Saint Mary’s has won 23 of its last 24 games against non-AP-ranked opponents.
• USC has lost three of its last four games played at neutral venues.

USC vs. Saint Mary’s Prediction

I’m on Saint Mary’s here. I just think the Gaels have been better, especially defensively, against the stronger schedule to this point. USC hasn’t really done a whole lot so far against anyone, and while a 5-1 start is nice, I think the Trojans are going to be in for a wake-up call against the Saint Mary’s defense. Give me the Gaels.

Chris Ruffolo's Pick: Saint Mary's -4.5