Trojans Face Off Against Gaels in Acrisure Classic First Round
USC Trojans Face Off Against Saint Mary’s Gaels in Acrisure Classic First Round
The USC Trojans (5-1) are gearing up for a highly anticipated first-round matchup with the undefeated Saint Mary’s Gaels (6-0) in the 2024 Acrisure Classic. Both teams come into the contest in strong form, but only one will extend their winning streak as they aim to prove themselves against tough early-season competition. The game is set to feature a classic showdown between a high-scoring USC squad and a balanced, defensively solid Saint Mary’s team, with each side hungry to continue their momentum.
USC Trojans: Riding High with Two Consecutive Wins
The Trojans are coming off a hard-fought 80-69 win over Grambling, which extended their win streak to two games. Despite not covering the spread as 22.5-point favorites, USC demonstrated resilience in a game where they overcame a five-point deficit midway through the second half. A 21-4 run helped USC take control of the game, eventually closing out the victory with a 12-3 surge in the final minutes.
With a team-wide average of 79.7 points per game, the Trojans rank 124th nationally in scoring offense. Leading the charge is Terrance Williams II, who contributes 13.3 points and 4.5 rebounds per game. Meanwhile, standout performances from Desmond Claude (12.8 PPG, 3.7 APG) and Josh Cohen (12.0 PPG, 3.2 RPG) give USC multiple scoring options. The Trojans are shooting 50% from the field this season, which ranks them 37th in the nation, and they also have a solid presence from beyond the arc, making seven three-pointers per game on 33.1% shooting.
However, the Trojans’ defense has been a concern, as they give up 70.5 points per game, ranking 175th in scoring defense. This vulnerability could be tested by Saint Mary’s balanced offense, which will likely look to exploit USC’s defensive lapses.
Saint Mary’s Gaels: Dominant on Defense and Board
Saint Mary’s has shown impressive balance this season, staying unbeaten with a 6-0 record following an 80-66 win over Cal Poly. The Gaels dominated the boards in that contest, outrebounding their opponents 47-28, and were able to stifle any comeback attempts by maintaining a double-digit lead throughout the second half. Luke Barrett led the charge with a 19-point, 10-rebound performance, continuing his strong start to the season.
As a team, the Gaels are averaging 80.7 points per game, placing them 108th nationally in scoring offense. They shoot an efficient 47.7% from the field, and their rebounding prowess stands out, with an average of 43.5 rebounds per game, ranking them 19th in the country. Augustus Marciulionis has been a key player for Saint Mary’s, posting 14.7 points and 6.2 assists per game. Meanwhile, Paulius Murauskas (14.3 PPG, 10.3 RPG) and Mikey Lewis (13 PPG) have provided solid secondary scoring.
Defensively, Saint Mary’s is giving up only 64.8 points per game, ranking them 63rd in scoring defense. Their ability to lock down opponents and control the pace of the game will be essential as they face USC’s high-powered offense. Saint Mary’s also excels at forcing turnovers, averaging 17.3 assists per game, which could put pressure on USC’s offense.
Conclusion
Both teams are well-coached and feature balanced rosters, but USC’s offensive firepower could prove difficult for Saint Mary’s to contain, especially with players like Terrance Williams II and Desmond Claude creating mismatches. Saint Mary’s will rely on their defense and rebounding to neutralize USC’s strengths, but their ability to generate consistent offense will determine how competitive they can stay in this matchup.
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