College Basketball Odds, Pick for USC vs Colorado (Saturday, Jan. 13)

Another Saturday, another rendition of Pac-12 After Dark. Saturday night's matchup features the USC Trojans and the Colorado Buffaloes.

The Trojans have been a disappointment thus far at 8-8 on the season. While a .500 record is not terrible, USC has lost to nearly every quality opponent it has faced, and the Trojans' outlook for this matchup is bleak.

That being said, the Buffaloes have not gotten off to an inspiring start in Pac-12 play either. They have lost three straight coming into this one, and their lack of depth is showing as they've been unable to keep rolling with key pieces out of the lineup.

With both of these teams stumbling into this matchup, what's the best way to bet on them? Let's find out in our USC Trojans vs. Colorado Buffaloes betting guide.

For the last few seasons, the Trojans have been able to get by with two primary scoring options on the offensive end. They have three options this season, but they aren't efficient enough.

Boogie Ellis has been the star of the show for USC once again, averaging nearly 19 points per game while shooting over 45% from downtown. But the Trojans' second-leading scorer and talented freshman Isaiah Collier — who has had an up-and-down start to his collegiate career — is slated to miss four-to-six weeks because of a hand injury.

Ellis and company will match up against a Colorado team that is 94th in 2-point percentage allowed and is the 15th-tallest team in the nation. The Buffaloes have the size to contain the Trojans inside the arc, and unless Ellis goes nuclear from deep, USC projects to struggle to score in this one.

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Colorado's losing streak has a lot to do with the rotating big men, as they've each struggled with injuries. However, this game should be a positive reset for one of the most efficient offenses in the country.

For the Buffaloes, efficiency is the name of the game, as they've controlled the court from the inside out. They are 39th in 2-point percentage and ninth in 3-point percentage. While that top-10 ranking from beyond the arc may seem impressive, Colorado is due to regress in that department despite the good matchup against USC.

The market had every right to open this total where it did. USC has tempo and the potential to light it up from deep. Colorado is now healthy and could return to the ultra-efficient team we saw during its non-conference schedule. However, that's not the game we're going to see here.

USC has only one viable offensive option to contain and the Buffaloes' impending regression makes them unable to maximize their best scoring form. Expect this game to be a grind, as the Trojans could go cold while Colorado grinds out buckets in the paint.

Pick: Under 155.5 (Play to 150.5)

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