Oregon vs. Southern California Sweet 16 Bracket Prediction: March Madness Odds
Sunday’s Sweet 16 battle between the No. 7 Oregon Ducks and No. 6 USC Trojans will pit the teams with the two best regular season records in the Pac-12 against each other. The Pac-12 has been dominant in the NCAA Tournament this year, posting a 9-1 record up to this point (10-1 if count Oregon’s first round no-contest win over VCU). Can the Ducks avenge their 72-58 loss to USC in February, or will the Trojans make it through to the Elite Eight for the first time in 20 years?
Oregon Ducks vs. Southern California Trojans NCAA Tournament Point Spread and Betting
This games opened as nearly a pick’em, but USC is getting enough early support to bump them up to 2.5-point favourites to win. The total has held firm at 139. It’s looking like the under might be the safer play for this one. Although Oregon has gone over the number in eight straight games, the number has fallen short in five of the last seven games between these teams, including their meeting in February. Oregon is a healthy 6-1 against the spread in their last six games. USC come in on an opposite trajectory, failing to cover in five of their last six games against Pac-12 teams.
(7) Oregon Ducks
After moving on to the Round of 32 without even stepping on the court, Oregon didn’t show any rust in a 92-80 upset win over the No. 2 Iowa Hawkeyes on Monday. That offensive showing has been key to the Ducks’ game plan all season. Oregon has scored over 80 points in five of their last six games. They have five players averaging double-digit points and they are led by standout guard, Chris Duarte, who is averaging 17 points per game. Duarte led the team with 23 points and seven rebounds against the Hawkeyes. For the Ducks to win this game, they’ll need to execute the same game plan as Monday. They were torched by Luka Garza for 36 points, but they locked down the perimeter and didn’t allow looks for other shooters. This game will likely be a shootout.
(6) Southern California Trojans
USC is back in the Sweet 16 for the second time since 2017, after crushing No. 3 Kansas 85-51 on Monday. The Trojans boast one of the best defences in the nation and hold opponents to just 39 per cent shooting from the field, good for seventh in Division I. They also have one of the best NBA prospects, in Evan Mobley. The freshman forward averages team-highs in points per game (16.5), rebounds (8.8) and blocks (3). Mobley finished with 10 points and 13 rebounds against Kansas, but it was his brother, Isaiah, who was the biggest difference-maker. Isaiah had a game-high 17 points to go along with eight rebounds and four assists. USC just has to play their game to win this one. Their offence is every bit as good as Oregon’s and they also have the superior defence. Regardless of the outcome, this should be a tight game.
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