USC at California 1/6/22 - College Basketball Picks & Predictions

No. 7 USC (12-0) is one of the few remaining unbeaten teams in the top-25. Their last three games were not played due to Covid issues and the Trojans have not played since Dec. 18. They travel to Cal on Thursday assuming no more Covid issues. Cal (9-5) has won its last five games. USC beat Utah by 20 and Cal lost to the Utes by eight. USC has not blown out many teams and won by two against Washington State.

USC is one of the top rebounding teams in the nation with 42.8 per game. The Trojans play good defense as well, holding opponents to 60.7 points. USC is averaging 75.9 on offense. Cal is averaging 37 rebounds per game. The Bears games have been closer than USC's games, averaging 66.9 and giving up 61.6.

Isaiah Mobley has been a huge part of USC's success thus far. He leads the team in scoring at 15 points per game, in rebounding at 9.6, and has the most three-pointers with 20. Mobley is shooting 43 percent from behind the arc. USC has three more players averaging in double figures. Chevez Goodwin averages 13.2, Boogie Ellis is at 11.8 and Drew Peterson averages 10.6.

Andre Kelly leads Cal with 14.6 points per game and 8.6 rebounds. He leads in blocks with eight. Jordan Shepherd is averaging 14.4 points and Grant Anticevich is averaging 12.1. Anticevich has made 23 three-pointers and is shooting 43 percent from that range. Cal is shooting 44 percent overall and 35 from three-point land.