UCLA and USC basketball game day central

Let's first look at some interesting articles written this week explaining and focusing on the rivalry between UCLA and USC.

The best 20 basketball games in recent memory between the UCLA Bruins and the USC Trojans.

A look at the history between UCLA and USC as well as a game preview and prediction for the game.

Social Media has become more and more apart of any college rivalry and here is a look at the best UCLA and USC social media posts involving this rivalry between the Trojans and the Bruins.

Let's take a look at the Crosstown Cup as this game will decide if points are award to which school based on who wins today's game between the Trojans and the Bruins.

The Crosstown Cup is a relatively young addition to the rich tapestry of the UCLA-USC rivalry, but it has quickly become a coveted symbol of athletic bragging rights in Los Angeles. Here's a dive into its history.

Points System: The scoring system has also evolved over time. Currently, each sport carries 10 points, except for football, which holds double the weight due to its heightened significance in the rivalry. This ensures that success across all athletic disciplines contributes to the final outcome.

Shared Community: While competition undoubtedly fuels the fire, the Crosstown Cup also fosters a sense of community within the LA athletic landscape. Both universities work together to ensure fair competition and celebrate sporting excellence, regardless of who ultimately claims the cup.

2001-2002: The cup's story begins in the 2001-2002 season, sponsored by Lexus and initially named the "Lexus Gauntlet." Back then, it aimed to track the overall winner across all head-to-head matchups between the two universities in various sports.

In the first six years of the cup, both UCLA and USC won the cup three times each.

2009-2014: After Lexus' sponsorship ended in 2009, the competition continued unofficially as the "Crosstown Gauntlet," highlighting the geographical proximity and intensity of the rivalry.

During this time period, USC won four out of the five years of the competition.

2015-Present: In 2015, BMW took over sponsorship, officially renaming the competition the "SoCal BMW Crosstown Cup." This era saw a shift in fortunes, with UCLA clinching the cup in 2015 and USC reclaiming it in 2016.

Since 2017, UCLA enjoyed back-to-back victories in 2017 and 2018, followed by USC's triumphs in 2019 and 2021. The 2020 competition was suspended due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Looking ahead: In major events like the 2028 Olympics, UCLA and USC are expected to collaborate in hosting various competitions, showcasing LA's collective athletic prowess to the world. The Crosstown Cup, in a way, serves as a training ground for this future collaboration.

The Crosstown Cup, though young in its official existence, has quickly become an integral part of the UCLA-USC rivalry. It stands as a testament to the athletic depth and competitive spirit of both universities, pushing them to excel across various sports and ultimately contributing to the vibrant athletic scene of Los Angeles.

USC overall is currently in the lead for this season but UCLA hopes to win this game to give the Bruins points towards helping them win the cup for 2024.