We know March Madness is crazy, but it can also be strange. Take for example this first round matchup between the USC Trojans and the Providence Friars, where the team with the better seed is the betting underdog and vice versa. Either way, this game is must-watch basketball. Can the Trojans send Providence crashing out of the tourney? Or will the Friars baptize USC with a loss right away?
Teams that cross paths with USC must be ready to run and defend. The Trojans give scoring a premium, as they are averaging 80.8 points per game on an astounding 45.7 percent shooting.
The Trojans jack up a ton of threes, but bury many of them, as they average 7.9 threes made on 20.5 attempts per game—that’s 38.5% shooting from beyond the arc, good for 28th best in the nation. What’s confusing for USC opponents is that the Trojans have their offense almost evenly spread out. They have five players averaging double figures in scoring led by Jordan McLaughlin, who puts up 13.4 points per game. As a team, the Trojans are manufacturing 28.9 field goals made per game, which ninth most in the NCAA.
USC is ranked 20th with 75.6 possessions per game and with Providence not known for its rebounds, the Trojans’ ability to dominate the possession battle may manifest once again. The Trojans are 32nd in Division I ball in rebounds with 39.5 per game, while the Friars get only 36.6.
Six-eleven forward Nikola Jovanovic projects to be a decent weapon for USC against the Friars Ben Bentil. Jovanovic is averaging 12.1 points and 7.0 rebounds per game.
USC is 5-1 ATS in its last six games when the Trojans are underdogs by two points or fewer.
With arguably the best two-man combo in the collegiate level today, the Friars are looking to make a splash in the national tournament.
Providence has an NBA Draft first round talent in Kris Dunn, who’s regarded as among the best guards in the nation. Dunn will bring a well-rounded game into the tussle with USC, as he’s averaging 16.0 points, 5.5 boards, 6.4 assists, and 2.5 steals per game. And judging by the Trojans’ lousy defense that allows 74.8 PPG, Dunn and Bentil are in line for an awesome offensive show.
Bentil, the big man is looking to bounce back strong following a three-point outing in the loss to Villanova in the Big East tournament. Bentil, however, had limited playing time in that game due to foul trouble. Bentil is the Friars’ leader in points (21.2 PPG) and rebounds (7.8 RPG), while running second to Rodney Bullock in blocks (1.1 BPG.)
Speaking of Bullock, the sophomore forward plays a perfect complement to Bentil in Providence’s frontline. Bentil is an old-school banger who likes to mix it up in the paint, while Bullock is a stretch-four, who shoots 34.4% from beyond the arc. He knocked down four threes against Villanova.
Providence is 5-0 ATS in its last five games overall.
