The UCLA Basketball team looks to extend their winning streak and get their revenge against USC tonight at Pauley Pavilion.
The UCLA Basketball team is on a bit of a roll, which is something we have not been able to say too much this season, but with the momentum they bring into this game, they have a chance to extend their fortune. Tonight the Bruins take on crosstown rival USC and there are more than just bragging rights on the line.
The winner of this game improves their chances for landing that the second, third or fourth spot in the conference standings, which will give them a bye in the first round of the Pac-12 Tournament.
Here is everything you need to know about UCLA vs. USC…
UCLA Basketball vs. USC Game Day Info
Records: UCLA Bruins 15-13, 8-7 (T-5th) | USC Trojans 15-13, 8-7 (T-5th)
Location: Pauley Pavilion, Los Angeles, CA
Tipoff: 6:00 p.m. PT
TV: ESPN
Live Stream: WatchESPN
Radio: AM 570 or AM 1150 (Los Angeles)
Satellite Radio: Sirius – Ch. 81 | XM – Ch. 81
OnlineRadio: Tune-In
Odds: UCLA -3.5 | O/U 145
Last Game: UCLA d. Oregon, 90-83 | Oregon State d. USC, 67-62
ESPN Win Predictor: UCLA 59.5% – USC 40.5%
Projected Starters:
UCLA – G Jaylen Hands, G David Singleton, F Kris Wilkes, F Jalen Hill, C Moses Brown
USC – G Derryk Thornton, G Shaqquan Aaron, G Jonah Matthews, F Nick Rakocevic, F Bennie Boatwright
Head Coaches: UCLA (interim) – Murry Bartow | USC – Andy Enfield
Rosters: UCLA | USC
UCLA Basketball vs. USC: Stats, Final Word and Prediction
UCLA Key Individual Stats :
- Kris Wilkes – 17.2 ppg, 4.7 rpg, .446 FG%
- Moses Brown – 10.5 ppg, 8.5 rpg, .633 FG%
- Jaylen Hands – 13.0 ppg, 6.2 apg, 3.6 rpg
USC Key Individual Stats:
- Bennie Boatwright – 18.3 ppg, 6.3 rpg, .485 FG%
- Nick Rakocevic – 15.1 ppg, 9.4 rpg, .557 FG%
- Jonah Matthews – 12.5 ppg, 3.1 rpg
UCLA vs. USC Team Stats
| Team | Avg Pts | Opp. Pts | FG% | Rebs | Asts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| UCLA | 78.0 | 76.5 | .461 | 41.3 | 15.2 |
| USC | 76.3 | 71.9 | .461 | 40.9 | 14.9 |
Pac-12 Standings
| Team | Avg Pts | Opp. Pts |
|---|---|---|
| Washington | 13-1 | 22-9 |
| Arizona State | 10-5 | 19-8 |
| Oregon State | 9-5 | 17-9 |
| Utah | 9-6 | 15-12 |
| USC | 8-7 | 15-13 |
| UCLA | 8-7 | 15-13 |
| Colorado | 7-8 | 16-11 |
| Arizona | 7-8 | 16-12 |
| Stanford | 7-8 | 14-13 |
| Oregon | 6-8 | 15-12 |
| Washington State | 4-10 | 11-16 |
| California | 0-15 | 5-22 |
Players to Watch
- David Singleton & Jules Bernard – These two freshmen have elevated their game recently and can really make a statement tonight against USC.
Last Word
Against my better judgment, I am going with the UCLA basketball team to avenge their loss at the Galen Center last month and get the win against USC tonight at Pauley Pavilion. Though I have been witness to the Bruins falling into slumps, as have you, I like the momentum the Bruins are bringing into this game.
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UCLA has been subject to inconsistency and after two wins, this seems like the perfect time for the Bruins to blow it. But, their effort against Oregon State a week ago and their determination to finish the game against Oregon and come back from 19 down to get the seven-point win tells me there is still a lot left in the tank for UCLA.
I would like to think that it is because the Bruins are coming together at the right time, but I also cannot ignore the fact that the Trojans have not been playing their best ball as they have lost four of their last six games.
Bennie Boatwright and Nick Rakocevic have been the saving grace of this team and give USC a solid frontcourt presence which means the Bruins are going to have to find a way to score in the paint. Moses Brown, Jalen Hill, and Cody Riley need to play smart and win the battle of the boards if the Bruins want to control this game.
Jaylen Hands also needs to make himself stand out, just like he did Saturday against Oregon when he scored 27 points in the second half. Though Bruins fans would prefer that Hands spreads out his scoring, the hope is that he is the main factor in getting a win.
Though I predict a victory, I will play it conservative and say that this one will be close.
Prediction: UCLA 81 – USC 78