UCLA vs. USC basketball game preview and prediction

These two city of Los Angeles rivals face off against each other for the first time as members of the Big Ten on the basketball court.
ByRyan Kay|
Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images
Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images | Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images

UCLA and USC have been playing well of late and this rivalry is looking to rev up the starting on Monday night.

Here is a look at both teams resumes heading into this game.

33

UCLA Bruins

Currently Projected to make NCAA Tournament | 5-4 Big Ten Record
UCLA Bruins Logo

Overall Season Record: 14-6 Overall
Team's current standings among analytical rankings (1/27/24): NET: #33, KenPom: #33, EvanMiya: #36, Barttorvik: #29, and BPI: #33
Top-tier wins this season: Washington (69-58), Arizona (57-54) in the Hall of Fame Rivalry, @ Oregon (73-71), Gonzaga (65-62) in the West Coast Hoops Showdown, Iowa (94-70), Wisconsin (85-83), and @ Washington (65-60).
Losses this season: New Mexico (64-72) on a neutral court, North Carolina (74-74) in the CBS Sports Classic, @ Nebraska (58-66), Michigan (75-94), @ Maryland (61-79), and @ Rutgers (68-75).

73

USC Trojans

Currently Projected to not make NCAA Tournament | 4-4 Big Ten Record
USC Trojans Logo

Overall Season Record: 12-7
Team's current standings among analytical rankings (1/27/24): NET: #73 KenPom: #67 EvanMiya: #58 Barttorvik: #49 BPI: #58
Top-tier wins this season: UT Arlington (98-95), @ Washington (85-61), CSUN (90-69), @ Illinois (82-72), Iowa (99-89), and @ Nebraska (78-73).
Losses this season: Cal (74-78), Saint Mary’s (36-71), and New Mexico (73-83) in the Acrisure Classic, Oregon (60-68), Michigan (74-85), @ Indiana (69-82), Wisconsin (69-84).

Game information for this matchup.

Matchup
Bruins
14-6
Trojans
12-7
Monday, Jan 277 PM PTFS1Galen Center

Television/Streaming Commentators: Jason Benetti and Bill Raftery
Radio (UCLA Audio Network): AM 1150 locally and SIRIUS XM Channel 386
Radio Commentators: Josh Lewin and Tracy Murray

Prediction for the game.

This will be a close game as USC has won three of their last four games after losing back-to-back games to Michigan and Indiana. Look for UCLA to amp up their defensive pressure more than usual, and it would not be a surprise if former Trojan Kobe Johnson has a big game against his former team. The Bruins won the last time they played at the Galen Center, and they will pull out a one-point victory, defeating USC by a final score of 81-80.

Schedule

Schedule