Miami vs. USC Bracket Prediction: March Madness Odds
-
Jeremy Perry
It is said that styles make fights, and the two teams in this game will try to force the opponent to submit to their own preferred way of proceeding. One team is unlikely to win at the opponent’s pace.
Miami vs. USC NCAA Tournament Point Spread and Betting
The Hurricanes are coming off a loss but have bounced back well in this spot. They are 7-1 ATS in their last eight off a loss. Separately, they are 5-1 ATS in their last six as a neutral site dog and 22-8-1 in their last 31 as a dog.
As for USC, they have covered four straight as a favorite in the NCAA Tournament. They are also 7-1 ATS in their last eight March Madness affairs. Both teams have some good trends pointing in their direction.
Miami Hurricanes (10)
If the Hurricanes create a fast-paced, high scoring game, they will win. They very rarely lose when scoring 70 or more points, and they rarely win when scoring in the low 60s or high 50s. Miami has a lot of great guards, led by Charlie Moore, and the Hurricanes like to spread the court and shoot 3-pointers while getting out in transition after creating turnovers from the opposition. Miami’s style of play is clear: fast, chaotic, 94 feet, running and gunning. Miami wants a game marked by offensive efficiency and accurate perimeter shooting. The fact that the Hurricanes have a group of veteran guards makes them naturally inclined to want a game which turns based on ball handling and jump shooting.
University of Southern California Trojans (7)
This is a very tough game to size up, because both Miami and USC have won a lot of close games this season. Both teams have been good away from home. Both teams have gone through bad patches – not a lot of them, but a few. USC started the season 13-0 and then lost three of four games in January and then lost three of its last four games entering the NCAA Tournament.
The Trojans are the exact opposite of the Hurricanes. They have size and power, and they are in a position to win a game which does not have good perimeter shooting. They want to grab missed shots off the backboard and win a game based on rebounding, points in the paint, and rugged half court defense with a slow pace. USC is 10-1 in games decided by five points or fewer. The Trojans don’t fare well when an opponent gets out in the open court and establishes a large margin against them, but when a game comes down to the final minute and one or two possessions, USC usually has the defense and rebounding to prevail. If Miami wants a backcourt-dominated game, the Trojans want a frontcourt-oriented contest. One thing to monitor here: USC reserve guard Reese Dixon-Waters did not attend practice earlier this week, so his status for this game is uncertain. Miami is a healthier team and probably merits a small edge.
MIA
USC