Pac-10 Quarterfinals
California Golden Bears vs USC Trojans
Staples Center, Los Angeles, CA
Thursday, March 10, 2011, 3:00 pm Eastern, TV: Fox Sports Net
Opening Line: USC -3
Current Line: USC -3 1/2
Opening Total: 133
Current Total: 133
Money Line: USC -165 / Cal +145
Both Cal and USC are projected to be on the outside looking in for the NCAA Tournament but are close if some teams above them falter. USC is projected to be among the first four teams out and Cal is listed among the next 4 out. This 4/5 match-up int he Pac-10 will also be an elimination game for the NCAA Tournament as well. Cal is 17-13 overall and 10-8 in the Pac-10. USC is 18-13 overall and also 10-8 in conference. The Trojans got the 4 seed based on a better overall record. The two teams split the season series with each team winning on the other’s home court. California won at USC January 22 68-66. USC returned the favor by winning at Cal 78-75 February 17. Cal has won four games in a row including a 74-55 home win over Stanford Saturday. USC has won 5 of their last 6 games including a 62-60 win at Washington Saturday.
Cal leads the overall series against USC 128-120. USC has won 4 of the last 7 straight-up but is 6-1 ATS in those games. Six of those seven have gone over the total. Cal is 7-18 ATS when the total is between 130 and 140 points the last 3 seasons. USC is 13-3 ATS when the total is between 130 and 140 points the last 2 seasons. The Trojans are 22-12 ATS versus teams with winning records the last two seasons. USC is also 10-21 ATS as a favorite the last 2 seasons. California is 24-14 ATS against conference opponents the last 2 seasons.
California guard Gary Franklin left the Cal team for personal reasons a few weeks ago. He was averaging 8 points a game. The Golden Bears have four players averaging double digit scoring. Forward Harper Kamp averages 14.6 points to lead the team, 5.7 rebounds, and 1.6 assists a game. Guard Jorge Gutierrez averages 14.6 points to tie for the team lead, 3.6 rebounds, 4.6 assists to lead the team, and 1.6 steals a game to also lead the team. Allen Crabbe averages 13 points, 5.5 rebounds, and 2 assists a game. Markhuri Sanders-Frison averages 11.2 points, and 7.4 rebounds a game to lead the team. Cal is being outscored 73-72 on the season. The Bears are shooting 45.2% from the field and 35.3% from 3-point range. Cal opponents are shooting 43.5% from the field. The Bears average 35.3 rebounds a game and have a rebounding margin of +3.1. Cal averages 15.2 assists and 13.6 turnovers a game. They force 12.7 turnovers a game on defense. The Bears average 5.6 steals and 2.4 blocks a game.
USC guard Bryce Jones has left the team. He was averaging 7.6 points a game. Junior Forward Nikola Vucevic leads the team in scoring with 17.7 points, rebounding with 10.3 a game, and blocks with 1.3 a game. He alos averages 1.5 assists a game. Junior guard Jio Fontan averages 10.5 points, 2 rebounds, 4 assists a game to lead the team. He missed the 1st 9 games of the season. Maurice Jones averages 9.9 points, 2.6 rebounds, 3.3 assists, and 2.1 steals a game to lead the team. Donte Smith averages 9.9 points a game, 1.7 rebounds, and 1.5 assists a game. Alex Stepheson averages 9.9 points, 9 rebounds, and 1.1 blocks a game. USC is outscoring opponents 67-63 on the season. They shoot 44.3% from the field and 35.6% from 3-point range. USC opponents are shooting 41% from the field. The Trojans make 65.4% of their free throws. They average 34 rebounds and have a rebounding margin of +1.1. The Trojans average 11.9 assists and 11.3 turnovers a game. They force 12 turnovers a game on defense. USC averages 5.9 steals and 2.9 blocks a game.
These two teams are very evenly matched and I expect another close game today. As mentioned the loser of this game will probably go to the NIT. The winner will play the winner of Arizona and Oregon St and also will stay alive for an at-large bid to the NCAA tournament.
Our college basketball handicappers are red hot as the conference tournaments are in full swing and Selection Sunday approaches. Don’t miss out on any more winners from now until they cut down the nets in Houston next month.
