USC vs Saint Joseph's 11/24/21 - College Basketball Picks & Predictions

The USC Trojans and St. Joseph’s Hawks will meet up in the Paycom Wooden Legacy at the Anaheim Convention Center. USC has opened the year against four straight inferior foes and taken care of business in all four with wins of 27, 16,5, and 40. St. Joseph’s started the year with back-to-back wins but has lost their last two games with a three-point loss to Drexel and a 12 point loss to Monmouth, dropping to 2-2.

USC lost star player Evan Mobley to the NBA draft after making a run to the Sweet 16 last season and has to replace over half of their scoring from last season. The Trojans did add junior guard Boogie Ellis from Memphis, and he’s flourished in his new role averaging a team-high 17 points per game. The Trojans offense is scoring 85.2 points per game ranking 35th in the country in scoring offense and is shooting 51.6% from the field.

The Trojan's defense has been solid allowing 63 points per game ranking 91st in the country in scoring offense, they’ve held opponents to just 34.6% from the field and 28% from beyond the arc. USC has had some issues generating turnovers and is 318th in turnover %, but they’re going to make opponents work on that end.

St. Joseph’s was one of the worst teams in the A-10 last season but will be much more experienced this season. The offense has looked to be improved early in the season scoring 74.8 points per game ranking 147th in the country in scoring offense. The Hawks have especially shot the three well knocking down 37.1% from beyond the arc. Senior Taylor Funk is averaging 18.5 points on 54/51/90 shooting splits.

St. Joseph’s has had some struggles on the defensive end allowing 73 points per game ranking 259th in the country in scoring defense. The Hawks have a limited team to just 14 three-point attempts per game while holding opponents to 42.2% from the field. St. Joseph’s is going to push the tempo and is 49th in adjusted tempo, but 262nd in KenPom adjusted defense.