USC Upstate vs. South Alabama Prediction and Odds for The Basketball Classic Quarterfinals (Spartans To Hang Tough)
By Joe Summers
The 15-16 USC Upstate Spartans take on the 20-11 South Alabama Jaguars in the quarterfinals of The Basketball Classic tonight at 8:00 PM EST.
USC Upstate took down Appalachian State as 10-point underdogs in the opening round while the Jaguars held on to beat Southeastern Louisiana 70-68 as a nine-point favorite.
These teams haven't played each other this year, but the Spartans have won and covered the spread in three of four. The Jaguars, on the other hand, have failed to cover the spread in four of their last five.
Can South Alabama snap out of their recent funk to earn a convincing quarterfinal win or will the Spartans stay a feisty underdog and continue their run of strong play?
Here are the odds via WynnBET to help us find value in this USC Upstate vs South Alabama matchup:
USC Upstate vs South Alabama Odds, Spread and Total
Spread
- USC Upstate +8.5 (-110)
- South Alabama -8.5 (-110)
Moneyline:
- USC Upstate: +325
- South Alabama: -425
Total:
- 141.5 (Over -110/Under -110)
USC Upstate vs South Alabama Prediction and Pick
South Alabama's calling card is a strong defense that forces turnovers. Unfortunately for the Jaguars, turnover prevention is the Spartans' strength. They're in the 98th percentile in turnover rate over their last five games and have settled into an offensive identity.
USC Upstate plays at a fast pace and wants to score from beyond the arc and at the free throw line. They rank 46th nationally in three-point shooting percentage and are in the 94th percentile in free throw shooting percentage. South Alabama is weaker on the perimeter and ranks 194th in opponent free throw rate, so their defense is weak where the Spartans want to attack.
On the other end, USC Upstate is a poor defensive team but do a good job causing havoc, ranking in the 83rd percentile in steal percentage and 92nd in block percentage over their last five contests. The Jaguars have been dreadful offensively in that five-game stretch, scoring just over 61 points per game.
Stylistically, I think this sets up well for the Spartans to keep things close. They're 8-4 against the spread (ATS) in their last dozen as an underdog while South Alabama is 1-4 ATS in their last five as a favorite, including losing three outright.
Give me USC Upstate to stay hot and hang with a Jaguars team that shouldn't be favored by this much against anyone right now. They're really struggling and I don't think they can score enough, even against a bad defense, to make bettors feel comfortable trusting them.
Pick: USC Upstate +8.5 (-110)
Follow all of Joe Summers' betting picks here.
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