It is the Sweet 16 matchup in the third round of the NCAA tournament as two teams who are quite familiar with each other – the USC Trojans and the Oregon Ducks – battle on Sunday. You can get the latest odds and information for this contest at William Hill Sportsbook.
Ducks Down Hawkeyes to Advance
Chris Duarte scored 23 points and added seven assists as the Oregon Ducks downed the Iowa Hawkeyes, 95-80. Oregon took a 10 point lead into the half, and never took their foot off the gas, dominating the Hawkeyes behind 55.9% shooting.
Duarte hit nine of 12 shots, adding four of five from the free-throw line. LJ Figeroa chipped in 21 points off eight of 14 shooting, including five of nine from the three-point range. He led Oregon with seven rebounds. Four of the team’s starters scored in double digits.
Oregon is averaging 74.1 ppg, while allowing 66.9 points per contest, 91st in the country. They are shooting 46.9% from the field, 49th overall, and 38.0% from the three-point range, 27th in the nation.
Duarte is averaging 17.3 ppg, hitting 53.3% of his shots, including 44.0% from the three-point range. Figeroa averaged 11.8 points per game during the regular season but has been a real presence in the postseason. He is averaging 6.4 rebounds per contest and is shooting 47.9% from the field. Five players on Oregon average double-digit points per game during the regular season.
Trojans Slay Jayhawks
USC dominated Kansas, outscoring them by 19 before the break on their way to an 85-51 victory. USC shot 57.1% from the field, including 61.1% from the three-point range. Evan Mobley led the way with a double-double, scoring 10 points and adding 13 rebounds. He also blocked three shots and added five assists. Isaiah Mobley was the leading scorer with 17 points. He was six of 14 shooting, including four of five from three-point range. Five players scored in double digits for the Trojans.
USC is averaging 74.3 ppg while allowing 64.1 points per contest, 46th in the nation. They are shooting 46.5% from the field, 62nd overall, but had been a terrible free-throw shooting team at 64.4%, 23rd from the bottom. The Trojans have been an outstanding rebounding team, averaging 36.5 boards per game, 24th overall.
The Trojans are led in scoring by Evan Mobley at 16.1 ppg. He is shooting 58.2% from the field and is adding 8.6 rebounds per game. Tahj Eaddy was the only other USC player averaging in double digits during the regular season, averaging 13.8 points off 45.2% shooting.
Oregon:
- 6-1 ATS in their last seven games.
- 15-5-1 ATS in their last 21 NCAA tournament games.
USC:
- 0-4 ATS in their last four games on a Sunday.
- 1-5 ATS in their last six games following a victory.
During the regular season, these teams met just one time, a decisive 72-58 victory for the Trojans at home on February 22. USC has a huge advantage in how well they rebound, and they are the better defensive club. They should be able to control the tempo, but these Ducks are quick and aggressive. I see them keeping this game close with a narrow Trojans victory allowing USC to advance. However, they are not going to cover the 2.5-point spread.
Pick: Take Oregon +2.5 at -110.
The Total:
The total is set at 139.0 for this game. Oregon has been the better defensive team in the postseason, allowing just 57.0 points in the conference and NCAA tournaments while USC has averaged 17 points more per game than the Ducks. I look for a much higher scoring affair than what oddsmakers are predicting. Both are outstanding shooting teams, and USC is great on the glass.
Pick: Go over 139.0 at -110.