The No. 14 Missouri Tigers host the South Carolina Gamecocks in NCAA basketball action on Tuesday night.
The Gamecocks just snapped a 13-game losing streak, but my South Carolina vs. Missouri predictions expect them to come crashing back to reality tonight. Here are my best free college basketball picks for this SEC battle on February 25.
South Carolina vs Missouri prediction
My best bet
Missouri -12.5 (-110 at bet365)
My analysis
The South Carolina Gamecocks are coming off an upset win at home against Texas, but that was their first win in conference play all season. Meanwhile, the Missouri Tigers are fresh off a road loss to Arkansas, which was a letdown spot following a huge win against No. 6 Alabama.
Mizzou has a finely-tuned attack that is sixth in the country in adjusted offensive efficiency per KenPom. The Tigers have been even better at home, where they average 86.8 points per game and rank 10th in effective field goal percentage (59%).
Their ability to score inside and out while taking care of the ball should ensure success against South Carolina, which has surrendered 80+ points in five of seven road games versus SEC foes.
The Tigers have been vulnerable in their own end. During conference play, they are eighth in the SEC in adjusted defense and 12th out of 16 teams in opponent 2-point percentage (52.5%). That said, the Gamecocks don't have the firepower to take advantage of that weakness.
South Carolina is dead-last in the conference in adjusted offense and 2-point percentage (46.9%). The Gamecocks are also 288th in the country in turnover rate (18.4%) with that number ticking up to 21.1% in SEC play.
The Tigers are 28th in the country in opponent TO rate (20.4%) and will be able to force turnovers and turn them into quick points in transition. Look for them to pull away and cruise to a comfortable win in a bounce-back spot here.
South Carolina vs Missouri same-game parlay (SGP)
Missouri -12.5
Caleb Grill Over 13.5 points
Collin Murray-Boyles Over 7.5 rebounds
Caleb Grill has scored 15+ points in seven of his last 11 games. He's also significantly more efficient at home, where he shoots 53.4% from the floor while draining three treys per game at a 50% clip. He should shoot the lights out against a South Carolina squad that is allowing conference foes to shoot 38.5% from deep.
One of the few areas where the Gamecocks have an advantage in this matchup is on the glass, where they are one of the top defensive rebounding teams in the SEC.
Sophomore forward Collin Murray-Boyles is South Carolina's best player and he leads the school in points (15.7) and rebounds (8.5) per game. He has grabbed double-digits in rebounds in his last two games and should eclipse 7.5 rebounds against an up-tempo Mizzou side.
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South Carolina vs Missouri odds
South Carolina vs Missouri live odds
South Carolina vs Missouri opening odds
- Spread: South Carolina +14.5 (-115) | Missouri -14.5 (-105)
- Moneyline: South Carolina +700 | Missouri -1100
- Over/Under: Over 147 | Under 147
Odds courtesy of bet365
South Carolina vs Missouri betting trend to know
The Tigers are 6-1 ATS in their last seven games at home while the Gamecocks are 0-5 SU and ATS in their previous five contests on the road. Find more college basketball betting trends for South Carolina vs. Missouri.
How to watch South Carolina vs Missouri
| Location | Mizzou Arena, Columbia, MO |
| Date | Tuesday, 2-25-2025 |
| Tip-off | 9:00 p.m. ET |
| TV | ESPNU |
South Carolina vs Missouri key injuries
Not intended for use in MA.
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