In one of the NCAA Basketball fixtures for February 29, 2024, the Washington State Cougars will take on the USC Trojans. The Cougars (21-7) will be looking to return to winning ways and continue their bid for the NCAA Tournament against a tricky opponent, the Trojans (11-16) at the Beasley Coliseum. Does USC have what it takes to beat the Cougars on their home court? Time will tell.
The Washington State Cougars
Head Coach Kyle Smith faces another test, needing a convincing win against one of the bottom teams in the Pac-12 conference. The Cougars (12-5 Pac-12) were on an 8-game winning streak before falling to a shocking defeat in the hands of the Arizona State Sun Devils. The Sun Devils showed class on their home court, beating one of the best sides this season 73-61. The loss ensured the Cougars dropped points and fell to second place in the Pac-12 conference table. Isaac Jones was incredible on the night, recording 16 points and 11 rebounds for the Cougars. However, his performance was overshadowed by the Sun Devils trio Jose Perez, Frankie Collins and Adam Miller, who scored 16, 14 and 12 points, respectively, to pull an upset. With the Trojans game in view, Isaac Jones and his teammates need to put the defeat behind them and step up like they’ve been doing all season.
The USC Trojans
The USC Trojans (5-11 Pac-12) will be on the road when they face the Cougars. They’ve had a run of poor performances all season and are currently occupying 11th position in the Pac-12 conference. Beating the Cougars would be one of their biggest highlights this season, and they’ve shown that it is possible with their previous game. The Trojans defeated one of the most successful college teams in history, the UCLA Bruins, 62-56 on the road in an exhilarating encounter. Both teams were tied in the first half (34-34), as Boogie Ellis scored 18 points for the Trojans. Andy Enfield’s boys did what they needed to do in the second half, finishing with a 28-22 scoreline to secure the win. Ellis made the scoresheet again, netting six (6) points, making his total for the game 24. However, it wasn’t just Ellis who put the dagger to the chest of the Bruins; Isaiah Collier and Kobe Johnson were also in action, scoring 11 and 10 points respectively. With these boys at the top of their game, the Trojans could be up to something when they play the Cougars.
Head-to-Head Washington State vs USC
These two teams have locked horns several times, providing memorable performances. In the last five games, the Trojans have won three, while the Cougars have recorded two wins. The previous encounter between both sides was in January at the Galen Center. The Cougars ran away with a 72-64 road win, with Isaac Jones recording 26 points on the night. While Washington State could go on to replicate this performance on Thursday night, they would be hoping that USC’s Boogie Ellis and Isaiah Collier are shut out in the game. Bettors will be able to participate in this tie as top bookies will provide multiple betting options for wagering.
San Francisco Dons vs Gonzaga Bulldogs
The San Francisco Dons (22-7) vs the Gonzaga Bulldogs (22-6) is another fixture bettors can jump on. The Bulldogs are on a 6-game winning streak and will look to extend this run when they face the Dons, who only recently suffered defeat at the hands of St. Mary’s Gaels after their 6-game winning run. The Dons (11-3, WCC) returned to winning ways at the War Memorial Gym last Saturday, beating the Pepperdine Waves convincingly 92-68 and indicating their preparedness for the Bulldogs game on Thursday night. Ndewedo Newbury was on fire against the Waves, ensuring no mistakes as he recorded 19 points, five rebounds, and three assists. However, he and his teammates must do more than this against the second-placed team in the West Coast Conference ahead of the encounter against the Bulldogs.
The Dons are 14-1 on their home court, while the Bulldogs are 6-2 on the road. With these statistics, you can expect a fierce battle in this game. The Bulldogs had their last game against the Santa Clara Broncos, winning 94-81. Graham Ike led the team to their 6th consecutive win, scoring 26 points in the game. Neither the Bulldogs nor the Dons can afford to slip up in this encounter as the season nears its end.
Head-to-Head San Francisco vs Gonzaga
For bettors, several games will be available, including the Dons and the Bulldogs tie. It’s advisable to have a budget or set a deposit limit on your betting account. Furthermore, head-to-head records can assist you with your predictions.
Regarding this tie, the Bulldogs have won all 5 of their last meetings against the Dons, with the most recent one played in January. It was a keenly contested game between both sides, with the scoreline ending 77-72. In this game, the Dons won the first half 31-30 before experiencing a turnaround from the Bulldogs, who went on to win the second half 47-41. Graham Ike was the man on this occasion, scoring 22 points in the game, which was more vital than Marcus Williams’ 19 points for the Dons on the night.
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