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The Arizona Wildcats enter Thursday’s home game against the USC Trojans looking to get their offense back on track after scoring 70 points or fewer in four of their last five games and dropping two of their last three games.
USC Trojans vs. Arizona Wildcats (-7.5, 153)
Despite the recent struggles, Arizona still ranks 15th in the nation in points scored on a per-possession basis while ranking eighth in 2-point shooting percentage.
The Wildcats will look to bust through a Trojans interior defense that ranks first nationally in opposing 2-point shooting percentage and second overall. However, the Trojans have not faced a big-man duo quite like the Wildcats’, which is comprised of Azuolas Tubelis and Oumar Ballo.
Arizona is seeing a combined 36.7 points, 18.1 rebounds, and 2.6 blocks per game from both Tubelis and Ballo. Also, Tubelis is shooting 47.4% from beyond the arc.
Arizona is the only team in the nation with two different players both averaging at least nine rebounds each, which is a big reason for ranking sixth in the nation in rebound rate. USC ranks just 182nd, even with their strong 2-point shot defense.
Along the perimeter, USC has struggled to produce consistent offense, ranking 229th nationally in turnovers on a per-possession basis and 267th in 3-point shooting percentage at 31.9%.
The Wildcats’ defense enters Thursday’s game having allowed 70 points or fewer in six of their last seven home games. With the Trojans ranked 156th in the nation in points scored per possession, they should move past their recent hiccups with a comfortable victory.
The Play: Arizona -7.5
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