Providence vs USC Point Spread Picks

USC has size up front but March is about guards and defense, and Providence has big edges in both. Providence plays great defense allowing 66.6 points per game, second-best in the Big East behind defending champion Villanova. The USC Trojans are 4-10 ATS against a team with a winning straight-up record. USC finished seventh in the Pac-12 in points allowed, field goal shooting defense and three-point defense. Providence sophomore guard Isaiah Jackson was key during the team's six-game winning streak, averaging almost 11 points on 24-of-37 shooting. Providence is on an 8-2 spread run. USC only had a 35-31 rebound edge in last year's meeting and had twice as many turnovers (12-6). The Trojans shot 54 percent, Providence shot just 40 percent, but the Friars still won, 70-69. Providence had the edge in offensive rebounds, 8-5, too. Play Providence on the moneyline.

This will be an interesting matchup, as both these squads really struggled down the stretch, and the best of their respective body of work occurred in the early part of the season. USC finished their last 10 games at just 3-7, but the Friars closed not much better at 5-6 over their last 11. Providence has struggled in those 11 games from the field, as they logged six of the 11 shooting less than 40%. USC after opening the season with many games at or over the 50% mark, did not generate one in their last nine games. This game is going to have to be won by the defense from both sides, as the offense has been very spotty. Add in the high total, I just don't see this one getting there. Make the play on the UNDER.