No. 21 UCLA (13-3, 9-1) at USC (14-3, 8-2)
Time: 7 PST – 9 CST – 10 EST
Place: Galen Center, Los Angeles, Ca.
TV: ESPN
Opening Tip:
This was once the top rivalry on the west coast and UCLA coach Mick Cronin and USC boss Andy Enfield are intent on making that happen again. The Bruins have won eight out of their last nine while USC has won nine out of ten.
The Bruins lead this storied rivalry 143-111, but loss both games last season. The 54-52 buzzer-beater by the Trojans on the season’s last day knocked UCLA out of a share of the Pac-12 title.
UCLA’s Jaime Jacquez (34.6 mpg) and Tyger Campbell (33.8 mpg) are third and fifth in the Pac-12, respectively in minutes per game. USC freshman Evan Mobley (16.7 ppg, 9.0 rpg) is first in the league in rebounding and seventh in scoring.
Vs. The Spread
UCLA:
- The Bruins are 1-4 ATS in their last 5 games
- The total has gone OVER in 5 of the Bruins’ last 7 games
- The total has gone UNDER in the last five UCLA-USC contests in Galen Center
USC:
- The OVER has been the play in 5 of the last 6 USC games
- The UNDER has been the play in 4 of the last 5 between the Bruins and Trojans
- The total has gone OVER in 5 of the last 6 vs. Pac-12 competition
Last Time Out:
Cody Riley had 16 points and 10 rebounds as he logged his fourth double-double fo the season as UCLA eclipsed Oregon State, 57-52, in Corvallis. Riley had 10 of the 16 in the second half as UCLA broke open a tight game late.
The Trojans outscored Stanford 6-0 over the final 1:18 as USC took down the Cardinal, 72-66 in Maples Pavilion on Tuesday night. Freshman guard Tajh Eaddy scored four of those six points, including the go-ahead basket and the final jumper.
| Teams | Spread | Money Line | Total Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| UCLA | +3½ (-110) | +150 | O 135 (-110) |
| USC | -3½ (-110) | -170 | U 135 (-110) |
Advantage, UCLA:
The Trojans don’t force but 12 turnovers per game, so UCLA’s Tyger Campbell and Johnny Juzang could find room to manipulate the perimeter where UCLA can find points as they shoot 40.6 percent from three. UCLA only turns the ball over 11.2 times per game as Jaime Jacquez (40.4% -3) and Juzang (34.5% -3) could control the game from the three-point line.
X-Factor:
Jules Bernard (9.3 ppg, 5.0 rpg) is hopefully able to play after struggling with an injured knee. He has struggled in his last two games where he only scored only two points and averaged only 13 minutes per game. In the two games before against Washington and Cal, he averaged 15.5 points and gave Cronin 31 minutes.
Advantage, USC:
If USC can pound the paint with Evan Mobley and Isaiah Mobley (9.5 ppg, 7.2 rpg) as they are both excellent passers and find each other in a solid high-low game. Evan Mobley shoots 58 percent from the floor and is also the product of the passing skills of Tahj Eaddy (12.6 ppg, 45 assists) and Drew Peterson (10.2 ppg, 3.8 apg). The Trojans lead the Pac-12 in scoring at 76 points per game and field goal percentage (46.3%) and also outscoring opponents by a league-leading (+11.7) points per game.
X-Factor:
Making free throws is a must for every team, but the Trojans have been to the line 399 times, but have made only 65.4 percent of their free throws which is 301st in the NCAA. Interestingly, Evan Mobley, Tahj Eaddy, and Drew Peterson are all well over 70 percent on the season.
Winner: USC (-3½) 72, UCLA 64
O/U: Take OVER 135
