South Carolina vs. USC: Final odds and a prediction for regular-season rematch

The No. 1 seeded South Carolina Gamecocks are taking on the No. 9 USC Trojans in the second round of the NCAA Tournament on Monday night. The Gamecocks are big favorites, and have the luxury of having played and beaten the Trojans earlier in the season.

For South Carolina, the Gamecocks are looking to prove they are capable of competing for a national title this season, despite being the lowest-rated No. 1 overall seed in the field.  USC, meanwhile, is looking to pull off a huge upset. 

The Trojans are also hoping to get back to its winning ways after dropping four straight in the regular season and an early exit from the Big Ten tournament. If USC can play like it did during its 6-0 stretch from late January to mid-February. 

Monday night's game also marks what will be the final home game in Columbia for several Gamecock seniors, such as forwards Raven Johnson and Madina Okot, guard Ta'Niya Latson. 

Before tip-off, let's take a look at the final betting odds for Monday night's matchup as well as a prediction. 

USC vs. South Carolina finals odds, spread and total

Odds via DraftKings Sportsbook

    Spread

• No. 9 USC (+23.5) 
• No. 1 South Carolina: (-23.5)  

Moneyline 

• No. 9 USC: +3000
• No. 1 South Carolina: -10000

Total 

• O/U: 133.5 (-110)

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Final score prediction: South Carolina 78, USC 60

You do have to give some credit to USC, as the Trojans forced Clemson to go to overtime in the first round, and won 71-67. Trojans guard Jazzy Davidson has been playing well all season, and finished Saturday's game with 31 points, including four made from beyond the arc. 

But I do think this is a South Carolina team eager to make a statement early in this tournament—it has what it takes to win it all. As if the record 69-point victory over Southern in the first round wasn't telling enough, I think this Gamecocks team will overpower USC. 

Johnson, along with Joyce Edwards and Okot will just be too much for this USC defense, which allows 63 points per game, good for 150th in the country.