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UCLA Basketball: The Bruins have dominated USC at the Galen Center

By Mike Regalado

LOS ANGELES, CA - FEBRUARY 03: Prince Ali #23 of the UCLA Bruins gets by Shaqquan Aaron #0 of the USC Trojans as he drives to the basket in the first half at Pauley Pavilion on February 3, 2018 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Jayne Kamin-Oncea/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA - FEBRUARY 03: Prince Ali #23 of the UCLA Bruins gets by Shaqquan Aaron #0 of the USC Trojans as he drives to the basket in the first half at Pauley Pavilion on February 3, 2018 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Jayne Kamin-Oncea/Getty Images) /
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Since the opening of the Galen Center during the 2006-07 season, the UCLA basketball team has dominated the USC Trojans on their home court.

The UCLA basketball team has completely dominated their series with USC. Their overall record against the Trojans is 142-108, which is something we all know. But did you know that the Bruins pretty much own the Trojans on their home court?

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Back in 2006, USC had opened their all-new, state of the art sports arena next to their campus. The USC basketball team christened their new abode during that following 2006-07 season.

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On November 16, 2006, the Trojans had their first ever regular season game in their new home. They lost to the University of South Carolina, 80-76 in overtime.

On January 13, 2007, the Trojans had their first sellout, which happened to come against their crosstown rivals, UCLA. They lost that game, 65-64. That win was the first of eight the Bruins have taken from the Trojans at the Galen Center, giving them an 8-4 record on USC’s home court.

That says a lot about a basketball program that has numerous resources at their disposal. Why has USC not been able to produce a good basketball team year in and year out whereas UCLA, which is only a few miles down the Santa Monica Freeway, has been able to construct an elite program?

A lot of it has to do with how much the university has invested into the football program, putting basketball by the wayside. And it is unfortunate because USC could be a powerhouse in hoops. At least they were before John Wooden came to town. The Trojans were just not able to sustain that success.

Either way, that is not UCLA’s problem as they have their own worries, especially in the last six seasons. Still, it is a relief to know that even if the Bruins have a down season, there is a good chance USC is doing worse.

For example, Saturday’s game. The Bruins are not having a great season and are coming into the first game of this crosstown rivalry after a thrashing by the hands of Oregon State. With no consistency on offense and a struggling defense, UCLA is not exactly playing at an elite level.

Still, it is better than USC who is down to eight scholarship players on the roster and will most likely be without their best player on the team, Kevin Porter, Jr., who has been suspended indefinitely. On top of that, they were beaten by both Oregon schools last weekend.

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So even though this is an away game for the Bruins (but is it really?), UCLA should come away from this contest with a win. They will need it as they are still in the hunt for the Pac-12 regular season championship. Though the Pac-12 is down this season, the Bruins cannot afford to lose a single game, especially the ones they should dominate. This game against USC is one they should dominate.