The USC Trojans (14-6, 6-3 Pac-12) will try to overcome one of the nation’s top scoring defenses when they host the No. 8 UCLA Bruins (17-3, 8-1 Pac-12) on Thursday. UCLA was defeated by the Arizona Wildcats 58-52 at McKale Memorial Center on Saturday. With 13 points, Tyger Campbell was the scoring leader in the losing effort.
Adem Bona was another standout performer with 11 points. The Bruins remain first in the Pac-12 Conference. USC found victory on Saturday at Desert Financial Arena, beating the Arizona State Sun Devils 77-69. Drew Peterson had 19 points and eight rebounds, leading the team. The Trojans remain fourth in the Pac-12 Conference.
This marks the last meeting of the season between the teams. UCLA will be aiming for a season sweep against USC after triumphing in the only prior matchup 60-58 at Pauley Pavilion on January 5, their third straight head-to-head victory. Jaylen Clark led the Bruins with 15 points. Reese Dixon-Waters had 16 points in defeat.
The Bruins have been led this season by Jaime Jaquez Jr. and Campbell, who are averaging 16.1 and 13.8 points per game, respectively. Jaquez Jr. also has grabbed 7.2 rebounds per game, while Campbell has dished 4.6 assists per game. Boogie Ellis (15.6 ppg) and Peterson (14.0) have powered the Trojans on offense.
Peterson has also averaged 6.6 rebounds and 4.8 assists per game. The Bruins rank as one of the toughest scoring defenses in the nation, 11th-best with 59.8 points per game allowed.
The Trojans have found success in the last 10 matchups between the teams at Galen Center, winning six.In the last 10 games, UCLA is 9-1 with an average margin of +13.1 (69.4-56.3).
For the season, the Bruins are averaging 75.4 points per game, compared to 59.8 for opponents. USC has gone 7-3 over the last 10, scoring 72.6 points per game on average while holding opponents to 68.8 (+3.8 margin).
BRUINS HOT/COLD
(Last Five | Season Average | Differential)
Points + Rebounds + Assists:
Amari Bailey: 0.0 | 9.8 | -9.8
Rebounds per game:
Jaime Jaquez Jr.: 9.8 | 7.2 | +2.6
Assists per game:
Jaime Jaquez Jr.: 3.4 | 2.6 | +0.8
TROJANS HOT/COLD
(Last Five | Season Average | Differential)
Points + Rebounds + Assists:
Kijani Wright: 1.0 | 3.7 | -2.7
Rebounds per game:
Joshua Morgan: 3.8 | 5.2 | -1.4
Assists per game:
Drew Peterson: 3.2 | 4.8 | -1.5
SportsTips’ College Basketball Pick:
Purdue (-225)
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*Odds correct at time of publication, courtesy of BetMGM.
