Can You Dance? USC Vs UCLA Pac-12 Tournament Information and Preview
Who saw this coming? After being down by 15 points ate in their first-round game, the USC Trojans went on a 19-2 run to end Arizona State‘s Pac-12 Tournament and season. This is the same team that has finished last in the conference two years in a row. With this win, the Trojans also made history… they are they first #12 seed to win a game in the Pac-12 Tournament. Too bad they will not be the first #12 seed to win 2 games in the Pac-12 Tournament as they face #4 UCLA in the second round.
UCLA Bruins
Records:
USC Trojans (12-19, 3-15)
UCLA Bruins (19-12, 11-7)
Tip-Off: 2:30 p.m. PT
Location: MGM Grand Garden Arena, Las Vegas, Nevada
Capacity – 16,800
Tickets: Sold Out
TV: Pac-12 Network
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
Nov 14, 2014; Los Angeles, CA, USA; UCLA Bruins guard Norman Powell (4) reacts after a dunk in the first half against the Montana State Bobcats at Pauley Pavilion. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports
Preview: Okay, so that might be getting a little cocky for UCLA. Just because the Bruins have beaten the Trojans five straight times dating back to the 2012-13 season, does not mean that it will happen again. UCLA man-handled USC in their first go-round at the Galen Center yet stumbled a bit in the last game of the regular season to their crosstown rivals (yet still won the game).
But things are different now. This is a whole new game.
When both teams meet at 2:30 p.m. in their tournament match-up, it will not just be for bragging rights. This will be to stay alive in not just the Pac-12 tourney, but in the post-season.
USC needs to win the entire tournament if they plan to make it to the NCAAs. UCLA needs to have a strong showing to keep their hopes alive for an NCAA bid, which ranges from two wins i the tourney to being crowned Pac-12 Tournament Champions. Anything less could be devastating for UCLA.
That is why the Bruins CANNOT OVERLOOK USC.
The Bruins, though managing to secure a #4 seed, have had an up-and-down season. One that has proven the Bruins do not do well away from Pauley Pavilion. Fortunately for them, USC is worse on the road. The Trojans did not register a win in conference playing on the road and only managed three wins away from the Galen Center against subpar teams. You know what that means? Get ready for some sloppy basketball!
Mar 4, 2015; Los Angeles, CA, USA; USC Trojans guard Elijah Stewart (30) and UCLA Bruins forward Tony Parker (23) battle for a rebound in the second half of the game at Pauley Pavilion. UCLA won 85-74. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports
But in all seriousness, the venue should not play a big part in the outcome of the game when there is more at stake.
Anyway, I had outlined what the Bruins have to do to go far in the tourney which is very simple:
- Go to the big men.
- Go away from the Bryce-first offense.
- Switch up the defense.
- Get the ball to Norman Powell.
If the Bruins can do all of these things and play a consistent game, they should have no problem with USC.
Jan 29, 2015; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Utah Utes guard Brandon Taylor (11) passes the ball around UCLA Bruins guard Noah Allen (22) and forward Kevon Looney (5) during the game at Pauley Pavilion. Mandatory Credit: Richard Mackson-USA TODAY Sports
But what about those pesky Trojans. What does UCLA have to do to guarantee a win?
First off, limit Elijah Stewart’s looks. With Norman Powell getting a Pac-12 All-Defense Honorable Mention, he needs to shut him down. Stewart scored 27 points in the upset against Arizona State.
Along with him, Tony Parker and Kevon Looney need to focus their efforts on the defensive end and keep Nikola Jovanovic from doing anything under the rim. Stop him from shooting, box him out of every rebound attempt and try to get him into foul trouble.
Aside from that, if UCLA plays a solid game, they should easily advance to the Pac-12 Tournament Semi-Finals.
Prediction: USC 57 – UCLA 62