CSUN Matadors vs USC Trojans Matchup

Read on to get betting odds and analysis in our CSUN vs USC NCAA Basketball prediction and preview and see who we think will win and cover the spread in Los Angeles.

CSUN vs USC Prediction

Don't miss out on the NCAA showdown between the Matadors and Trojans. The game is starting at 10:00 ET on BTN, and it's hosted by the Trojans at Galen Center in Los Angeles, CA. Get ready to place your bets! The over/under for this non-conference contest is set at 149.5 points, with USC being favored by -10.5 over CSUN.

CSUN vs. USC Matchup At A Glance

Sport: NCAAB
Teams: CSUN Matadors at USC Trojans
Where: Los Angeles at Galen Center
Date: Wednesday, December 18th
Betting Odds USC -10.5, CSUNR +459 | USC -649 O/U 149.5

Matadors Preview: Does CSUN Have A Chance at Galen Center?

CSUN Matadors Recent Game/Games

CSUN improved to 6-3 on the season with a 102-91 road win over Cal Poly on Saturday. Entering the game as 2-point favorites, the Matadors covered the spread, and the total score of 193 points went well over the pre-game line of 159.5.

CSUN jumped out to a 51-34 lead at halftime and matched that output in the 2nd half, scoring another 51 points. However, they allowed Cal Poly to score 57 points in the 2nd half, which is something they’ll need to tighten up moving forward.

Matadors Offense Breakdown

CSUN's offense exploded for 102 points in their last game, shooting 50% from the field and 57.1% from three-point range (8/14). Their effective field goal percentage was 55.4%, and they added 20 points from the free-throw line, hitting 69% of their attempts.

Owen Koonce led the way with 25 points and 10 rebounds, shooting 60% overall and 44.4% from deep. PJ Fuller contributed 22 points and 7 assists, while Grady Lewis and Marcus Adams Jr. each added 17 points, with Adams hitting 3 of 5 threes.

Matadors Team Defense

CSUN's defense gave up 91 points in their last game, with their opponents shooting 41% from the field on 29 of 70 attempts. Inside the arc, they allowed 17 two-point baskets on 27 attempts, a 63% shooting percentage.

From three-point range, CSUN's opponents hit 12 of 43 shots, a 27% success rate. The Matadors also sent their opponents to the free-throw line 30 times, where they converted 21 free throws, shooting 70%. CSUN allowed 16 offensive rebounds.

Trojans Preview: Does USC Stand a Chance at Home?

USC improved to 7-4 on the season with an 89-63 win over Montana State on Sunday. Playing at home, the Trojans entered the game as 9-point favorites and covered the spread. The total points for the game were 152, surpassing the over/under line of 142.5.

USC dominated early, leading 47-21 at halftime. They scored 42 points in the 2nd half but also allowed 42 points, indicating a drop in defensive intensity after the break.

Trojans Offense Breakdown

USC put up 89 points in their last game, shooting 50.8% from the field. Their effective field goal percentage was 55.6%, with a 57.8% success rate on two-pointers and 33.3% from beyond the arc. At the free-throw line, they hit 79.2%, making 19 of 24 attempts.

The Trojans grabbed 12 offensive rebounds and dished out 18 assists. Desmond Claude led the way with 19 points on 6-of-8 shooting, while Saint Thomas added 17 points, hitting 7 of 11 shots, including his only three-point attempt.

Trojans Team Defense

USC's defense gave up 63 points, allowing the opponent to shoot 50% from the field, with 26 of those baskets coming from two-point range at a 57% clip.

From beyond the arc, the opponent hit 6 of 18 threes, and they also went 19/24 from the free-throw line. USC allowed 12 offensive rebounds.

Matadors vs Trojans Betting Odds, Trends & Analysis

When looking at their past five road matchups, CSUN has an ATS record of 4-1 while averaging 83 per game. The team went 4-1 overall in these games.
In their last ten games at home, the Trojans have a straight up record of 4-6 while going 5-5 vs. the spread. The team averaged 71 points per game in this stretch.
Spanning across their last ten games as the betting underdog, the Matadors have gone 5-5 vs the spread. Their overall record in these games was 3-7.
Across their last five matchups as the betting favorite, the Trojans have an overall record of 4-1 while going 1-4 against the spread.