USC will travel across town to play their crosstown rival, UCLA, in a game that carries more than solely bragging rights. Both teams have the same record (18-9) and recognize that this game is a season-defining match.
UCLA will likely come into the game with confidence after recently defeating No. 10 Illinois in an incredible 95-94 overtime victory. Bruins senior guard Donovan Dent sealed the win with a game-winning layup.
That win brought life back to a UCLA team that had previously lost two straight games, including a brutal 82-59 loss to No. 15 Michigan State where Bruins head coach Mick Cronin ejected his own player from the game.
USC, on the other hand, is walking a tight rope. The Trojans suffered a 71-70 loss against Oregon on Sunday – a game that USC desperately needed to win.
This game isn’t just important because it’s a rivalry game. It’s crucial because USC’s chances of making March Madness are not high. USC currently has a 17% chance of a bid to the tournament, according to TeamRankings.
UCLA is led by Dent, who averages 13.2 points and 7.5 assists. Along with his game-winning bucket, Dent had a career-high 15 assists against Illinois.
The best scorer for the Bruins is 6’9” senior forward Tyler Bilodeau, who averages 18.1 points per game. He’s an efficient shooter and plays like a stretch-big, which makes him dangerous.
Freshman guard Alijah Arenas was leading the Trojans offensively before he sputtered last week. Arenas only scored eight points against Illinois and 13 points against Oregon on a horrific 28.6% shooting day.
Fortunately for the Trojans, graduate guard Chad Baker-Mazara made his return against Oregon to play for the first time since February 3 after being out with a knee injury. He dropped 21 points in the loss, but even his effort wasn’t enough.
If USC wants to get a big road victory at Pauley Pavilion, Arenas must shoot more efficiently. The Trojans will also need to contain Dent and not allow him to drive into the paint effortlessly.
USC can have a huge advantage in this game if they can score threes early. If the Trojans can knock down shots from beyond the arc, the game will become a track meet, which is something UCLA has struggled with in the past.
No matter what happens, the emotions run high in this crosstown rivalry. It will be the kind of game where one possession can be the difference maker.
The game will tip off on Tuesday, Feb. 24, at 8 p.m.