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Look ahead to USC vs UCLA in game 28

UCLA will welcome their rivals to Westwood for one of two matchups before the end of the season
ByJustin Hickey|
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Jan 31, 2026; Los Angeles, California, USA; Southern California Trojans guard Chad Baker-Mazara (4) celebrates at the end of the game as Rutgers Scarlet Knights guard Lino Mark (2) and guard Tariq Francis (0) watch at Galen Center. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
Jan 31, 2026; Los Angeles, California, USA; Southern California Trojans guard Chad Baker-Mazara (4) celebrates at the end of the game as Rutgers Scarlet Knights guard Lino Mark (2) and guard Tariq Francis (0) watch at Galen Center. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images | Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

UCLA will head into their USC matchup in game 28 after a stretch of three games straight against top 10 teams. Giving them a small breather from having to play some of the best teams in the nation. But that doesn’t mean it’s going to be an easy walk over win. USC is currently 16-6 on the season and right in the mix of things making a push towards March. They have just as much to play for as UCLA does. Rivalry games always bring out the best in teams as well. UCLA will not be able to let their guard down.

This will be the first of two meetings for the teams. As they will play on the last game of the season as well to conclude the year before the Big Ten tournament there is a lot to play out before this matchup to see where teams will land. Will UCLA go into it struggling or go into it with upset wins? A lot remains to be told. The Bruins have had a roller coaster season after so much hype after getting Donovan Dent through the transfer portal. The team has all the talent it needs but just can’t seem to get over the hump of consistency.

USC on the other hand has a very good scorer in Chad Baker-Mazara at 18.8 points per game. They had one of the best scorers in the nation in Rodney Rice earlier in the season before losing him for the year due to injury. This team would easily be in the top 25 if it wasn’t for that injury. He was playing very good basketball for the Trojans. Ezra Ausar can also score the ball as he is averaging 16.1 points per game. USC started this season at 12-1 before they went into the stretch that UCLA is about to go on. Playing three top 10 opponents and losing all of them.

Just because USC is 4-5 over their last nine games, doesn’t mean UCLA can take this game lightly. Especially if the Bruins somehow come out of their three-game stretch 0-3. They will need to play do or die basketball to be able to make the March Madness tournament. Regardless of that, you always want to beat your rival school as well. It will make for a good matchup and UCLA will need to continue good defensive effort.

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