UCLA Basketball Runs L.A. – USC Vs UCLA Basketball Game Information and Preview
Cue Richard’s Strauss theme to ‘2001: A Space Odyssey‘ (and read slow). This is it folks. The end of the regular season. After this Wednesday, March 4, it officially becomes the post-season for UCLA basketball. The Bruins get to end their campaign against and old foe and in their own home. USC at Pauley Pavilion. Then after that… a trip to Las Vegas for the Pac-12 Tournament. But then what? Does UCLA have enough on their resume to warrant a trip to the NCAA Tournament? We find out starting tonight.
UCLA Bruins
Records:
USC Trojans (11-18, 3-14)
UCLA Bruins (18-12, 10-7)
Tip-Off: 6:00 p.m. PT
Location: Pauley Pavilion, Los Angeles, CA
Capacity – 13,800
Tickets: UCLABruins.com
TV: ESPN2
Radio: KLAC AM 570 (Los Angeles)
On-line: TuneIn
Betting Line: TBD
Projected Starting Line-ups:
USC – Julian Jacobs, Malik Marquetti, Elijah Stewart, Malik Martin, Nikola Jovanovic
UCLA – Bryce Alford, Norman Powell, Isaac Hamilton, Kevon Looney, Tony Parker
Feb 22, 2015; Tempe, AZ, USA; USC Trojans head coach Andy Enfield and USC Trojans forward Malik Martin (2) talk during the first half against the Arizona State Sun Devils at Wells-Fargo Arena. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports
Preview: Forget about the tournament because it will not even matter if the Bruins do not blow out USC. UCLA started thing in the right direction with a whooping of Washington a week ago, but then stumbled a bit against Washington State. That did not look good, which is why a dominating performance over the Trojans should help their chances of getting into the NCAA tourney.
USC has not been doing too well this season and will continue to do so as they will be without be without superstar freshman Jordan McLaughlin.
During the first meeting with the Bruins, McLaughlin had 8 points and 6 assists in a loss. Though that game saw a lot of activity from forward Nikola Jovanovic who scored 20 in that game. Since McLaughlin went down, Jovanovic has been the go-to guy for the Trojans.
More from UCLA Bruins Basketball
- UCLA Basketball: The case for the No. 1 2023 Recruiting Class
- UCLA Bruins News: Going to play in Spain, preseason honors and more
- College Basketball: Top Five 2023 Recruiting class rankings
- UCLA Basketball and Football: Westwood is the place to be for recruits
- UCLA Basketball: The Bruins arguably has the No. 1 2023 Recruiting Class
Now if the Bruin Bigs can match his energy down low (and are given the opportunities to) then we should see a big night from Tony Parker and Kevon Looney. The Bruins need to show the NCAA selection committee they have muscle and can compete in the greatest of all tournaments. UCLA can do that when the ball is taken to the rim by the Bruins in the front court.
From there, they can open up their shooting game and take less contested shots. It is simple, really.
As for the Bruin guards, Bryce Alford and Isaac Hamilton need to take smart shooting attempts. They are best when they move around and look for that open shot.
But the one player that needs to put his influence on the game is senior Norman Powell. It his last night at Pauley Pavilion and believe us when we say we will miss him! I hope he goes for 50 points against USC.
Mar 1, 2015; Los Angeles, CA, USA; UCLA Bruins guard Norman Powell (4) dunks in the second half of the game against the Washington State Cougars at Pauley Pavilion. UCLA won 72-67. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports
Bold Predictions:
- Norman Powell will get 50 points.
- There will be no less than 10 spectacular dunks in this game, including one by Kory Alford.
- Tony Parker will have a double-double, with blocks and assists.
- Kevon Looney will grab 20 rebounds.
Score Prediction: USC 54 – UCLA 68