South Carolina vs. Indiana prediction: College basketball picks, odds

Last year, South Carolina posted its best season in nearly a decade under second-year head coach Lamont Paris. Yet, hopes are higher in Bloomington, where head coach Mike Woodson has recruited an impressive group of talent to play for the Hoosiers. That’s reflected in the spread, where the Hoosiers are seven-point favorites. But I’m more focused on the pace.I expect a low-scoring rock fight. (3 p.m.

ET, Peacock)These are two post-heavy offenses. South Carolina will play through the up-and-coming star Collin Murray-Boyles and Alabama transfer Nick Pringle on the block.Indiana will play through Arizona transfer Oumar Ballo and returning upperclassman Malik Reneau in a pace-and-post system. However, I think both teams have spacing issues. South Carolina likes to run a one-in, four-out offense, playing through an interior hub while running perimeter players through webs of screens.

However, losing BJ Mack in the offseason means the Gamecocks lack a stretch forward — they were dangerous last year when inverting the floor.When Murray-Boyles and Pringle share the court, defenses can sag toward the interior, and South Carolina’s offense may get bogged down. Meanwhile, Indiana had severe spacing issues last season, and I’m unsure if this year’s roster can remedy those.

Returning sophomore wing Mackenzie Mgbako has solid shooting upside, but the backcourt combination of Trey Galloway and Washington State transfer Myles Rice shot a combined 27% from deep last season.Not to mention, Coach Woodson is far from being an analytically-minded coach. So, I expect plenty of bully-ball interior shot attempts near crowded rims, and I don’t expect either to produce efficient offense. I also project a plodding pace. South Carolina is among the nation’s most methodical offenses, ranking 346th nationally in average possession length last season.

The Gamecocks like to work through many sets in the half-court, progressing toward a higher-quality opportunity late ...