USC Upstate Spartans vs South Carolina Gamecocks NCAA Basketball Betting Pick & Prediction 12/14/24
Making on a bet on this NCAA game featuring the Spartans versus the Gamecocks? Tip off is at at 2:00 ET, and you can watch it all unfold on SEC. The game will be played at Colonial Life Arena in Columbia, SC. The over/under line for this matchup is currently at 149 points, and South Carolina is favored by -26.5 at home against USC Upstate.
USC UPSTATE SPARTANS VS SOUTH CAROLINA GAMECOCKS BETTING PICK
The Pick: USC Upstate Spartans +26.5
This game will be played at Colonial Life Arena at 2:00 ET on Saturday, December 14th.
WHY BET THE USC UPSTATE SPARTANS:
- We have this one finishing with a projected score of 74-73 in favor of the Gamecocks.
- Even though we have South Carolina winning straight-up, we like USC Upstate at +26.5.
- The over/under is currently sitting at 149 points, and we like the under with a projected 147 points.
Will the Spartans Defense Show Up in Columbia?
USC Upstate picked up their first win of the season, defeating Western Carolina 74-68 on Saturday. The Spartans, who were +8.5 point underdogs, not only got the win but also covered the spread. Their record now stands at 1-8.
USC Upstate turned things around in the second half, outscoring the Catamounts 43-31 after trailing 37-31 at halftime. The total points for the game were 142, falling short of the 161.5 O/U line.
USC Upstate put up 74 points in their last game, shooting 50% from the field. They hit 60% of their two-point attempts, but struggled from deep, connecting on just 4 of 16 threes (25%). Their effective field goal percentage was 53.6%, and they shot 63.6% from the free-throw line, making 14 of 22 attempts.
Brit Harris led the way with 16 points, shooting 66.7% from the field. Bernard Pelote, Cord Stansberry, and Carmelo Adkins each added 14 points, with Adkins and Pelote hitting 62.5% of their shots. Karmani Gregory contributed 11 points and 6 assists, despite shooting 30.8% overall and missing all 3 of his three-point attempts.
USC Upstate’s defense gave up 68 points in their last game, with their opponents shooting 44% from the field, hitting 24 of 54 attempts. Inside the arc, they allowed 57% shooting, as the other team made 15 of their 26 two-point shots.
From three-point range, USC Upstate’s opponents shot 32%, connecting on 9 of 28 attempts. The Spartans also sent them to the free-throw line 16 times, where they made 11, shooting 68%. USC Upstate allowed 7 offensive rebounds in the game.
Do the Gamecocks Have What it Takes to Win as Home Favorites?
South Carolina Gamecocks Recent Game/Games
South Carolina improved to 6-3 on the season with a 75-68 home win over East Carolina on Saturday, December 7th. Despite being favored by 10.5 points, the Gamecocks didn’t cover the spread. The total points for the game reached 143, surpassing the over/under line of 135.5.
After trailing 32-27 at halftime, South Carolina turned things around in the 2nd half, scoring 48 points while holding East Carolina to 36 points.
South Carolina’s offense was clicking in their last game, putting up 75 points with a 54% field goal percentage. They were particularly effective from beyond the arc, hitting 12 of 23 threes for a 52.2% rate, contributing to an effective field goal percentage of 66%.
Jamarii Thomas led the way with 22 points, connecting on 5 of 8 threes and adding 7 assists. Collin Murray-Boyles was perfect from the field, going 10 for 10 and finishing with 20 points and 10 rebounds.
South Carolina’s defense struggled in their last game, giving up 68 points on 54% shooting from the field. The Gamecocks allowed their opponent to connect on 15 of 27 two-point attempts, good for 55%.
From beyond the arc, South Carolina’s defense couldn’t contain the three-point shooting, as they allowed 12 threes on 23 attempts, a 52% clip. They also sent their opponent to the free-throw line 17 times, where they made 9.