USC vs VCU | Prediction & Pick

Trojans and Rams meet for the right to get Georgetown

The last of the initial ‘First Four’ games in the 2011 NCAA Tournament figures to be an intriguing matchup as the USC Trojans and VCU Rams tangle on Wednesday in Dayton. The Georgetown Hoyas, sixth seeded in the Southwest Region, await the winner on Friday.

vs.

Southern California (19-14, 10-8 Pac-10) vs. Virginia Commonwealth (23-11, 12-6 CAA)

Date/Time: Wednesday, March 16, 9:10 PM ET
Venue: University of Dayton Arena in Dayton, OH.
Broadcast: TruTV

Money Line: USC -210, VCU +175
Spread: USC -4 ½
Over/Under: 129 ½

The Trojans ride into this game having won seven of their last ten, and earned a spot with an at-large bid by virtue of quality victories against Texas and Tennessee, and a quality loss at Kansas. They finished fourth in the Pac-10 during the regular season.

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The Rams strength of schedule, including tough losses against Tennessee, Richmond, and UAB, combined with a victory over UCLA and regular season splits with fellow Colonial Athletic Association clubs George Mason and Old Dominion allowed them to get into the tournament.

VCU is in the tournament for the second time in three years, and for the third time in five years. That appearance in 2007 included a shocking upset over Duke, and in their last appearance in 2009, UCLA edged them by just one point.

After a one-year absence, the Trojans are back in the tournament for the fourth time in five years. Southern Cal is dealing with a distraction prior to the Pac-10 semifinals loss to Arizona. Trojans head coach Kevin O’Neill got into a shouting match with an Arizona fan on Thursday and was suspended by the university for his conduct, but was reinstated late Saturday following an apology.

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On the court, O’Neill need not apologize for the play of Nikola Vucevic. The junior forward averaged a double-double for the season, scoring a team-best 17.3 points per game and grabbing 10.2 rebounds per contest. These numbers placed Vucevic third in the Pac-10 in scoring average and tops in the league rebounds.

The Rams rely on balanced scoring, with four players averaging double-figures per game. Jamie Skeen leads VCU at 15.3 PPG, while Joey Rodriguez works the distribution side by leading the conference in 4.8 assists per game.

The odds makers have the USC Trojans as a -4.5 point favorite with an over/under of 129.5.

Matt’s Free Prediction: Virginia Commonwealth has been more consistent throughout the season and should frustrate Vucevic, which limits the Trojans options offensively. I think VCU will win easily.

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USC Trojans Betting Trends:
USC is 6-2 SU in its last 8 games
The total has gone UNDER in 6 of USC’s last 7 games