Michigan State vs. USC Prediction: Expert Picks, Odds, Stats & Best Bets – NCAA Tournament Round First Round

An opening-round NCAA Tournament matchup will see the 10th-seeded USC Trojans (22-10) play as 1.5-point underdogs against the No. 7 seed Michigan State Spartans (19-12) on Friday at Nationwide Arena. The contest begins at 12:15 PM on CBS. Here’s what you need to know when filling out your brackets for this 7-10 matchup. The matchup’s point total is 137.5.

Michigan State vs. USC Odds

• Michigan State odds to win: -131
• USC odds to win: +109
• Spread: Michigan State (-1.5)
• Total: 137.5

Michigan State vs. USC Promo Codes

Game Time and Information

• Date: Friday, March 17, 2023
• Time: 12:15 PM ET
• TV: CBS
• Where: Columbus, Ohio
• Venue: Nationwide Arena

Who Will Win Michigan State vs. USC?

Michigan State and USC Betting Trends, Records Against the Spread

Michigan State has a 10-9 record against the spread this season when favored by 1.5 points or more.

USC is 6-5 against the spread when an underdog by 1.5 points or more this season.

These two teams average 143 points per game combined, 5.5 more than the over/under of 137.5.

Opponents of the two teams average a combined 2.8 fewer points per game (134.7) than this matchup’s total of 137.5 points.

The average total Michigan State has had in its games this season is 0.1 more points than this particular game’s point total.

The average point total for the Trojans this year is 2.5 points higher than this game’s over/under.

The Spartans are 15-16-0 against the spread this season.

The Trojans are 17-15-0 against the spread this year.

Michigan State Stats & Insights

Michigan State’s +88 scoring differential (outscoring opponents by 2.8 points per game) is a result of scoring 70.2 points per game (209th in college basketball) while giving up 67.4 per contest (100th in college basketball).

Michigan State is 163rd in college basketball at 32.0 rebounds per game. That’s 1.7 more than the 30.3 its opponents average.

The Spartans knock down 7.5 three-pointers per game (170th in college basketball), while their opponents have made 7.0 on average.

Michigan State’s 95.4 points per 100 possessions on offense rank 134th in college basketball, and the 91.6 points it allows per 100 possessions rank 178th in college basketball.

The Spartans are averaging 70.6 points per game this season when playing at home, which is 1.6 more points than they’re averaging in away games (69.0).

USC Stats & Insights

USC is outscoring opponents by 5.5 points per game, with a +177 scoring differential overall. It puts up 72.8 points per game (152nd in college basketball) and allows 67.3 per contest (96th in college basketball).

The 32.2 rebounds per game USC accumulates rank 150th in the nation. Their opponents pull down 32.1.

USC connects on 6.5 three-pointers per game (279th in college basketball), while its opponents have made 7.5 on average.

USC averages 93.7 points per 100 possessions on offense (185th in college basketball), and gives up 86.6 points per 100 possessions (59th in college basketball).

At home, the Trojans score 76.2 points per game. Away, they score 68.2.

Michigan State Key Players to Watch

The Spartans scoring leader is Tyson Walker, who averages 14.6 per contest to go with 2.5 rebounds and 2.8 assists.

Joey Hauser is Michigan State’s leading rebounder, grabbing 6.9 per game, while A.J Hoggard is its best passer, distributing 6.0 assists in each contest.

The Spartans get the most three-point shooting production out of Hauser, who makes 2.2 threes per game.

Walker and Mady Sissoko lead Michigan State on the defensive end, with Walker leading the team in steals averaging 1.2 per game and Sissoko in blocks averaging 0.8 per contest.

USC Key Players to Watch

Drew Peterson paces the Trojans in both rebounds and assists with 6.2 rebounds and 4.4 assists per game.

Boogie Ellis counts for 18.0 points per game, making him the top scorer on USC’s team.

Ellis averages 2.6 three-pointers per game, the most on the Trojans.

USC’s leader in steals is Kobe Johnson with 2.2 per game, and its leader in blocks is Joshua Morgan with 2.3 per game.

Michigan State vs. USC Prediction

• Pick ATS:

  USC (+1.5)
  

• Pick OU:

  Over (137.5)
  

• Prediction:
  Michigan State 70, USC 69

How to Bet on Michigan State vs. USC

And for more CBB game previews, NCAA basketball picks or even how to bet on college basketball check out the latest NCAAB lines on Betsperts.