High Point vs USC Upstate Odds and Picks (Jan. 12)

Odds as of January 11th, 2022.

Tubby Smith’s team saw UK shoot 58% in the first half as the Wildcats rolled to a 44-point victory on Dec. 31. The team’s two leading scorers, John-Michael Wright and Zach Austin, each had 12 points and six rebounds in the loss. A pair of conference games were postponed last week.

Meantime, Dave Dickerson’s club saw Jordan Gainey put up a season-high and career-best 20 points in a 10-point victory over the Blue Hose. Bryson Mozone and Dalvin White each chipped in 16 points in the program’s first Big South win of the season.

Smith and Lesson

It remains to be seen how the Panthers respond from the blowout loss to Coach Smith’s former team and subsequent COVID-spurred layoff. High Point was a 27.5-point underdog to UK — and lost by 44.

Wrapping up 2021 in style

UK 92, HPU 48 Highlights ? pic.twitter.com/Q28wC7NJAc

— Kentucky Men’s Basketball (@KentuckyMBB) December 31, 2021

Whether or not High Point can handle the role of favorites Wednesday is the key question. This is a team that still only owns three wins against Division I programs (Howard, Elon and Florida Atlantic) — with none of them cracking the KenPom Top 200 in overall ratings. — and has lost four of its last five.

Junior guard Wright is High Point’s leading scorer, averaging just under 20 points per game. Austin (13.9) and Jaden House (11.5) join him as the only other players Smith has putting up double-digits per contest. This team is not going to wow you offensively: it rates 285th in offensive adjusted efficiency and 311th in adjusted temp. The Panthers have averaged only 57 points a contest over the last three, including its lone victory (a 55-52 win over Florida Atlantic).

No Pain, No Gain(ey)

While four Spartans put up double-figures against the Blue Hose, the headliner was Gainey. Saturday’s game marked the second consecutive time the freshman guard recorded a career-high scoring total, opening his first week of league play with 16 and 20 points, respectively, against Radford and Presbyterian.

A career-high 2️⃣0️⃣ points for Jordan Gainey as Upstate head on the road and pick up their first Big South victory of the 2021-22 season.

Four Spartans finish in double-figures in the 82-72 win over Presbyterian.

RECAP | https://t.co/c1TvQAniDg#SpartanArmy ⚔️ #JoinUP pic.twitter.com/fxnjTcRMmT

— USC Upstate Men's Basketball (@UpstateMBB) January 8, 2022

Thanks to his efforts, the 6-foot-4 Tucson native was named Big South Freshman of the Week for the third time. It’s the first time since the 2016-17 season any Spartan has earned three or more conference weekly awards.

Now, can Gainey and Co. carry the momentum from the performance against Presbyterian into Wednesday’s tilt? It was only USC Upstate’s second win over a D-1 opponent (they also beat South Carolina State — but that was back during Thanksgiving Week). Unlike High Point, the Spartans aren’t offensively-challenged. Tubby’s team has averaged 77 points over the last four contests.

The Pick

This one boils down to offense and, simply put, I have more confidence in USC Upstate right now. Normally, I’d be inclined to go with the more reputable coach. But the Spartans are more experienced and have Gainey going for them.

The Panthers are significantly more battle-tested (having played four top-60 rated teams by KenPom). But High Point was only competitive in two of those (losing to Notre Dame 70-61 and Michigan State 81-68). The home team feels like the pick in this spot.

Pick: USC Upstate