USC Men's Basketball Will Face Crosstown Rival UCLA

LOS ANGELES – The USC Men's Basketball team (12-7, 4-4 Big Ten) will return to the Galen Center for the Crosstown Showdown as they take on the Bruins of UCLA. This historic rivalry has gone all the way back to 1928 with the Bruins owning the record. However, the last time these two teams saw each other was across town in Pauley Pavilion when the Trojans defeated the Bruins 62-56.

LAST TIME OUT
The Trojans took a quick trip to Lincoln, Nebraska, as they took on the Cornhuskers. It was quite the battle between these two teams in the packed Pinnacle Bank Arena. Even though the Trojans scored the first basket, Nebraska wasn't going to let USC take the win without a fight. These two teams exchanged the lead 10 times during these four minutes, but it was the Trojans who were the last ones to pull ahead. The Cornhuskers hung tight through the final seconds, but ultimately, USC won 78-73 over Nebraska.

Desmond Claude led the Trojans in scoring as he finished the night with 21 points while also adding on a team-high six assists. Wesley Yates III continues to be an asset for the team as he racked up 17 points while notching a career-high four steals. Rashaun Agee and Saint Thomas also helped the offense with 14 and 11 points, respectively.

SCOUTING THE BRUINS

UCLA is currently on a three-game winning streak, beating Iowa, Wisconsin and Washington. However, the Bruins are 2-3 in games played away from Pauley Pavilion this season.
The Bruins have seen a lot of production off the bench. UCLA averages 27 points per game from players off their bench, the second-highest mark in the Big Ten. The Bruins have also been a defensive force this season as they lead the Big Ten in scoring defense (64.5 points per game allowed) and rank second in steals per game (8.7). They also rank 10th nationally in turnover margin (5.1) and rank eighth in the nation in forced turnovers per game (16.6).
Former Trojan Kobe Johnson has led the defensive line for the Bruins. The Wisconsin native ranks sixth among all Big Ten players in total steals (37) and ranks seventh in steals per game (1.8). Johnson is also averaging 8.4 points and 5.9 rebounds in conference play this season. As if that wasn't enough, he also ranks 11th in the conference in assist-to-turnover ratio (2.07).
Sophomore center Aday Mara has been holding down the paint for UCLA all season long. Among Big Ten Conference players, the 7-foot-3-inch Spaniard ranks ninth in total blocks (24) and 10th in blocks per game (1.3).
Junior guard Skyy Clark has also contributed heavily to the Bruins' defensive schemes. Clark ranks 10th among Big Ten players in total steals (29) and 11th in steals per game (1.5).
Junior forward Tyler Bilodeau is leading UCLA in scoring this season with 13.9 points per game. Bilodeau ranks 11th in the Big Ten in both field goal percentage, shooting at 50.5 percent, and 11th in field goals made with 107.

SHARPSHOOTERS
When it comes to field goal percentage, the Trojans have one of the best numbers in the NCAA. They currently rank 38th in Division I in this category, boasting a 48.2 team field goal percentage.

STEALTH MODE
Wesley Yates III and Saint Thomas have been great defensive players for the Trojans in Big Ten play. Thomas is averaging 1.5 steals per game while Yates is close behind with 1.4 per game, which puts them in 10th and 11th in the rankings.

ONE-TWO PUNCH
Desmond Claude and Wesley Yates III are one of the best duos on the court for USC. In the 648 possessions these two players have had together, they have a plus-minus of 117 and an offensive rating of 118.8. They also have one of the highest field goal percentages of any duo on the team, making about 49.7 percent of their shots. When both players are not on the court, USC falls to the bottom five percent in the NCAA in offensive rating, effective field goal percentage and net rating.

STARTING FIVE
Head Coach Eric Musselman is starting to keep a consistent starting lineup, sticking with Saint Thomas, Desmond Claude, Wesley Yates III, Chibuzo Agbo and Josh Cohen. Saint Thomas and Josh Cohen are the only two Trojans to start in every game for USC. With this starting lineup, the Trojans are 7-3 which includes Quad 1 wins over No. 13 Illinois and, most recently, Nebraska. They also have an offensive efficiency of 128.5 through a minimum of 150 possessions. This number is the eighth best in the NCAA and No. 1 in the Big Ten under these conditions according to EvanMiya.com

WHEREABOUTS
Tip-off will be at 7 p.m. at the Galen Center on Monday, Jan. 27. For those who can't make it to Los Angeles for the Crosstown Showdown, they can watch on FS1 or listen with ESPN LA 710.

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Players Mentioned

Chibuzo Agbo

Rashaun Agee

Desmond Claude

Josh Cohen

Kobe Johnson

Saint Thomas

Wesley Yates III