There will be more than just bragging rights on the line Saturday night when the No. 21 USC Trojans host the No. 12 UCLA Bruins. Both teams are chasing Arizona at the top of the Pac-12, and neither can afford to lose any more ground.
The Trojans are the home team for the game, although it’s the Bruins who are two-point favorites with the over/under set at 136.5 points.
Despite a recent loss against Arizona, USC appears to be trending in the right direction. The Trojans have won three of their last four games and six of their last eight. That has them at 20-4 overall and 9-4 in Pac-12 play, 2.5 games out of first place.
On the other hand, the Bruins have lost two of their last three games. UCLA has dropped recent games to both Arizona and Arizona State, although the Bruins got back on track earlier this week with a win over Stanford. Following that win, UCLA is 9-3 in Pac-12 play, two games behind Arizona, and 17-4 overall.
Guard Play
The Bruins are led by a contingent of big guards, most notably Johnny Juzang, who leads the team with 18.1 points per game. Of course, Jaime Jaquez and Jules Bernard also bring a lot to the table, averaging 13.2 and 12.8 points per game, respectively, with both averaging better than five rebounds per game. Finally, point guard Tyger Campbell is the engine that makes the Bruins go, averaging 11.2 points and 4.7 assists per game.
However, while UCLA has bigger guards that can help with rebounding, the team’s frontcourt does leave a little to be desired.
Forward Cody Riley is a huge X-factor, although he hasn’t been as consistent as he was last season and went scoreless over 21 minutes in Tuesday’s win over Stanford. But the Bruins do get some size and muscle from 6’10’’ center Myles Johnson, who doesn’t score much but is a strong rebounder and defensive presence.
Big Horse
Much like his brother was a year ago, Isaiah Mobley is USC’s best player this season. The 6’10’’ forward is a little more versatile than his brother, averaging 14.7 points, 8.5 rebounds, and 3.2 assists per game. The likes of Chevez Goodwin and Max Agbonkpolo help to supplement Mobley’s efforts in a deep and talented frontcourt.
On the other hand, USC’s guard play has been solid if unspectacular this season. Boogie Ellis and Drew Peterson have been the best players, although Peterson has scored seven points or less in his last three games against Pac-12 opponents.
Ethan Anderson has given the Trojans a nice boost in recent games, although Ellis carries most of the burden on his shoulders in the USC backcourt.
Straight Outta LA
The battle for bragging rights in the city of Los Angeles should be a close game. But while Mobley gives the Trojans the best player on the floor, UCLA’s backcourt depth figures to be too much for USC.
Bet on the Bruins to win and cover on Saturday night.
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