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Last season, UCLA lost to Southern Cal three times. Three times.
It was the first time in 74 years that UCLA went winless in at least three games against Southern Cal.
Tonight, UCLA needs to get payback.
When the teams take the floor tonight at the Galen Center, the Bruins will be looking to get payback for last season’s three losses while also getting back to their winning ways after losing decisively to Arizona at home last weekend.
UCLA Coach Steve Alford spoke about defense yesterday in his weekly press conference, but the proof is in the pudding. Until the team goes out and consistently play solid defense, the questions will remain.
Meanwhile, the team from across town started off the season hot, but they have cooled off substantially since conference play began. That indicates that their non-conference slate was even weaker than UCLA’s.
Offensively, the Trojans have four players averaging in double figures. Elijah Stewart and Jordan McLaughlin lead the team with an average of 14.1 points per game each. Chimezie Metu is averaging 13.6 ppg while also averaging 7.5 rebounds per game while Bennie Boatwright has returned from his MCL sprain and is averaging 10.6 ppg in his first five games.
When Southern Cal coach Andy Enfield was at Florida Gulf Coast, his team referred to itself as “Dunk City.” Well, the Trojans are branding themselves this season as “Slam City.” They do have 79 dunks so far this year, meaning that the Bruin defense cannot play like swiss cheese as they did against Arizona.
Here’s how to watch tonight’s game:
#7 UCLA Bruins (19-2, 6-2)
Opponent: Southern Cal Trojans (17-4, 4-4)
When: Wednesday, January 25, 2017, 8:00 pm PT
Where: Galen Center, Los Angeles, CA
Game Notes:
TV: Fox Sports 1 with Joe Davis and Jim Jackson
Stream: FoxSportsGo.com and the Fox Sports Go app
Radio/Audio:
- 570 AM in Los Angeles with Josh Lewin and Tracy Murray
- Sirius Channel 84 & XM Channel 84 (Southern Cal feed)
- And, of course, the Bruins Nation Game Thread!
Live Stats: Southern Cal Trojans StatBroadcast
Go Bruins!