USC vs UCLA(8) Preview and Picks
USC: 14-6(6-3) UCLA: 17-3(8-1)
Summary
The PAC 12 has gotten tighter with Arizona's win over UCLA, which gave UCLA their first loss in conference play of the season. UCLA struggled in that game, shooting 21/67 (31%) and 4/20 (20%) from three, but their defense kept upholding Arizona to just 58 points. On the other hand, USC is coming off an impressive conference win against Arizona St in which 5th-year starter Drew Peterson filled up the stat sheet with 19 points, eight rebounds, four assists, two blocks, and three steals. UCLA fell to 8-1 in the PAC 12, while USC improved to 6-3.
Last Matchup
The last matchup between the two teams was back on January 6th and saw UCLA beat USC in a close matchup, 60-58. UCLA went into the halftime break up 18 and had to rely on some late-game heroics by Jaylen Clark, who hit a big go-ahead three with 15 seconds remaining before drawing an offensive foul on the defensive side of the floor. The Bruins disappeared in the second half, with everyone not named Jaime Jaquez Jr failing to record a field goal until Jaylen Clark's big three.
Prediction
UCLA has one of the best defenses in the NCAA, giving up only 59 points a game and holding opposing teams to just 40 percent from the field and 29 percent from the three-point line. Adversely, USC, led by Boogie Ellis and Drew Peterson, has struggled on the defensive side of the floor at times. USC gives up, on average, 66 points per game, allowing 33% of opponents' three-point attempts to fall while only shooting 31% from beyond the arc. Jeremy Clark and Jaime Jaquez Jr are ample reasons, as they both average 2.6 steals and 1.8 steals a game, respectively. The question of the game is, can the USC offense operate against one of the best defenses in college basketball, and can UCLA get some scoring help outside of Clark and Jaquez Jr?
The game will take place on Thursday, January 26th, at the Galen Center in Southern California.
Prediction UCLA 68 USC 59
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