The Minnesota Golden Gophers (12-12) travel to face off against the USC Trojans (14-10) on Saturday, February 15th. This game will be played at Galen Center in Los Angeles and televised on BTN. USC is coming off a win in their previous game, while Minnesota is looking to get back on track from a loss to the Illinois. Tip-off is set for 4:00 ET.

Minnesota Golden Gophers vs USC Trojans

The Golden Gophers Look To Bounce Back From A Loss

Minnesota Golden Gophers Recent Game/Games

The Golden Gophers fell to 12-12 on the season following a 95-74 loss to Illinois on Saturday. Minnesota, who entered the game as +6.5 point underdogs, failed to cover the spread. The total points for the game reached 169, surpassing the O/U line of 145.5.

At home, Minnesota trailed 46-35 at halftime and couldn’t close the gap, allowing 49 points in the 2nd half while scoring 39 themselves.

The Trojans Look To Bounce Back From A Loss

USC Trojans Recent Game/Games

USC improved to 14-10 on the season with a dominant 92-67 win over Penn State on Tuesday. The Trojans were -4 favorites going into the game and covered the spread with ease.

USC led 40-31 at halftime and pulled away in the 2nd half, outscoring Penn State 52-36. The game’s total points of 159 went over the pre-game line of 151.5.

Golden Gophers Offense Breakdown

In their last game, Minnesota put up 74 points, shooting 40.9% from the field with an effective field goal percentage of 47%. They connected on 8 of 20 threes, shooting 40% from deep, and hit 85.7% of their free throws, going 12 for 14. The Golden Gophers grabbed 13 offensive rebounds and dished out 15 assists.

Will Riley led the way with 27 points, 9 rebounds, and 7 assists, shooting 64.7% overall and 50% from three. Tomislav Ivisic was perfect from three, hitting 2 of 2, and finished with 18 points and 11 rebounds, shooting 88.9% from the field.

Trojans Offense Breakdown

USC’s offense was firing on all cylinders in their last game, putting up 92 points and shooting 67.3% from the field. Their effective field goal percentage was an impressive 79.6%, thanks in large part to their 75% shooting from beyond the arc, hitting 12 of 16 threes.

Chibuzo Agbo led the way with 21 points, connecting on 7 of 9 threes. Desmond Claude also had a strong performance, scoring 16 points and dishing out 8 assists. Overall, the Trojans finished with 23 assists as a team.

Golden Gophers Team Defense

Despite Minnesota allowing 95 points, they held their opponent to 40% shooting from the field, with 27 made baskets on 66 attempts. Inside the arc, the Golden Gophers gave up 19 two-point field goals on 46 attempts, a 41% shooting rate.

From three-point range, Minnesota’s defense allowed 8 made threes on 20 attempts, with their opponent shooting 40%. The Golden Gophers also sent their opponent to the free-throw line 14 times, where they converted 12 free throws for 85%. Minnesota gave up 13 offensive rebounds in the game.

Trojans Team Defense

Despite Minnesota’s defensive struggles, they managed to hold their opponent to 40% shooting from the field, with the opposition hitting 27 of 66 shots. The Golden Gophers limited their opponent’s two-point success, allowing 19 makes on 46 attempts for a 41% shooting rate.

From beyond the arc, Minnesota’s defense gave up 8 threes on 20 attempts, with the other team shooting 40% from deep. The Golden Gophers also sent their opponent to the line 14 times, where they converted 12 free throws for 85%. Minnesota allowed 13 offensive rebounds in the game.

Golden Gophers vs Trojans Trends

• When looking at their past ten road matchups, Minnesota has an ATS record of 4-6 while averaging 64 per game. The team went 3-7 overall in these games.
• When looking at their past three home matchups, USC has an ATS record of 2-1 while averaging 75 per game. The team went 1-2 overall in these games.
• As the betting underdog, the Golden Gophers have an ATS record of 3-2 in their last five games. In these matchups their, straight up record was 3-2.
• The Trojans have played well in their last five games as the betting favorite, going 4-1 straight up and 4-1 against the spread.

Golden Gophers vs Trojans Prediction

For a point-spread wager in this Trojans vs. Trojans game, we suggest taking the Trojans at -6.5. Even though our predictions have the Trojans winning 75-72, we see the Golden Gophers as the better choice on the point-spread.

As for the over/under, the the line is currently at 138.5, and our model projects the Golden Gophers and Trojans to reach a combined total of 147 points. Our bet is on taking the over.

---

All odds are courtesy of Action247 Sportsbook. Good luck!!

---

* All odds are provided by Action247 Sportsbook and all odds subject to change.**All views expressed are my own. My picks are my own and are not a guarantee, bet at your own risk.Action247 does not warrant the accuracy of completeness of the information, text, graphics, links or other items contained within these post.