USC vs. Kansas State odds, picks and predictions
The No. 22 USC Trojans and Kansas State Wildcats open their seasons Monday during the Hall of Fame Series at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. Tip-off is set for 10 p.m. ET (TNT). Below, we analyze BetMGM Sportsbook's lines around the USC vs. Kansas State odds, and make our expert college basketball picks, predictions and best bets.
The Trojans finished 22-11 last season and lost 72-62 in the first round of the NCAA Tournament to the Michigan State Spartans.
USC should have 1 of the best backcourts in the nation this season after recruiting G Isaiah Collier. Pairing the nation's top-rated freshman with G Boogie Ellis (17.7 points per game last season) creates a dangerous combo that opposing defenses will struggle to contain. It is unknown whether G Bronny James will play this season after suffering cardiac arrest in July.
The Wildcats were 26-10 last season. They made it to the Elite Eight in the NCAA Tournament, where they lost 79-76 to the Florida Atlantic Owls.
Kansas State will look very different this season without G Markquis Nowell and F Keyontae Johnson, who are with the Toronto Raptors and Oklahoma City Thunder, respectively. Second-year coach Jerome Tang faces a tall task trying to replicate last season's success with a team full of new faces.
USC is No. 22 in the Paste BN Sports Coaches Poll.
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USC vs. Kansas State odds
Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access Paste BN Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 1:37 p.m. ET.
- Moneyline (ML): USC -155 (bet $155 to win $100) | Kansas State +125 (bet $100 to win $125)
- Against the spread (ATS): USC -2.5 (-115) | Kansas State +2.5 (-105)
- Over/Under (O/U): 145.5 (O: -110 | U: -110)
USC vs. Kansas State picks and predictions
Prediction
USC 73, Kansas State 66
Moneyline
USC (-155) is rolling out what will be among the best backcourts in the nation and should have no trouble beating the new-look Wildcats. However, there's no need to pay the higher price on the moneyline when USC should win by more than 1 possession.
PASS. Lay the points and/or bet the total instead.
Against the spread
USC is returning its leading scorer from last season and added the top-rated recruit in the nation. The combo of Ellis and Collier in the backcourt should be overwhelming for a Kansas State team full of new faces.
Tang's Wildcats were just 7-8 ATS as underdogs last season. Kansas State, with less talent on its roster this time around, should struggle to keep games close when they're outmatched this season.
BET USC -2.5 (-115).
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Over/Under
USC will be integrating a huge piece into its offense, and Kansas State is rolling out a very different team compared to last season. Both teams may need a few games before their offenses really start clicking, especially since Kansas State will be without its top-4 scorers from last season.
BET UNDER 145.5 (-110).
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