Montana State vs USC Prediction College Basketball Picks 12/15/24

The Montana State Bobcats and the USC Trojans meet Sunday in college basketball action from Galen Center. Here’s a Montana State vs USC prediction. We will look at this from a betting perspective and determine the best Montana State vs USC pick. We will examine:

The Montana State Bobcats’ recent form and player performance

The USC Trojans’ recent form and player performance

Recent betting trends and streaks involving the Montana State Bobcats

Recent betting trends and streaks involving the USC Trojans

Recent betting trends in games played between Montana State and USC

A summary that ties it all together and produces a favorable betting outcome for the Montana State vs USC game

Montana State Bobcats Betting Preview

The Bobcats lost four of their first five games this year versus Wisconsin, Wichita State, Denver, and Northwestern. Montana State has since won four of five over Southern Miss, Abilene Christian, Omaha, and Kansas City.

Last weekend in the Kansas City game, the Bobcats held an 11-point edge going into the second half. Montana kept it up from there on 40 more points and won 74-62. Max Agbonkpolo was tops in scoring on 17 points and nine boards.

USC Trojans Betting Preview

Over on the USC side, they beat Chattanooga, Idaho State, TX-Arlington, San Jose State, and Grambling in their first six. After losses to Saint Mary’s, New Mexico, and Oregon, the Trojans finally got another win over Washington.

In their matchup with Washington last Saturday, USC didn’t have too many issues. The Trojans were up by a dominant 51-25 margin heading into the second half and ended up winning 85-61. Desmond Claude led the way on 20 points with four rebounds and four assists.

Why the USC Trojans will win

• Montana State has lost each of its last 10 day games against non-AP-ranked opponents.
• USC has won each of its last six home games against the Big Sky Conference.

Why the Montana State Bobcats will win

• Montana State has won four of its last five games against non-AP-ranked opponents.
• USC has lost three of its last four day games against non-conference opponents.
• USC has lost the first half in three of its last four games against non-AP-ranked opponents.

Montana State vs USC Prediction

I’ll stay with USC, but you could make a case either way. The Trojans finally put together a complete game versus Washington in their last outing—minus the 13 turnovers. USC hit a stellar 64 percent from the field and 82.4 percent (14-of-17) from the line alongside 30 rebounds in that one. It was a nice return to scoring form after fewer than 61 points in two of the previous three games.

As for Montana State, they didn’t have too many issues with a struggling UMKC team in their last outing and got back to .500 on the season (4-1 at home). The Bobcats are scoring very well these days with a nice 69 or more points in nine straight outings, but they’re also giving up some decent totals to solid-scoring teams. I like this one to be a high total, with USC powering out a cover in the end.

Andrew Jett's Pick: USC Trojans -8.5