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Four games. That ties UCLA’s second longest losing streak to Southern Cal in history. UCLA needs to end this losing streak tonight to avoid extending it to five games.
Of course, if the Bruins want to retain any hope of winning the regular season Pac-12 title, they need to win tonight. The need to win tonight continue to have a hope of staying in the West Region for the NCAA Tournament.
When these two teams met was last month, Southern Cal got out ahead early and UCLA was unable to catch up. The Bruins’ defense wasn’t able to stop the Trojans’ offense.
The key to tonight’s game for UCLA is defense. It’s been a concern all season and, tonight, it’s up to the Bruins to put together a complete game defensively. If they are able to shut down Southern Cal, UCLA should cruise to victory. But, if Steve Alford tries to have UCLA to play man-to-man instead of zone, then this game is going to be a whole lot tougher to win.
Of course, if UCLA can get a big enough lead, expect Trojans’ center Chimezie Metu to get frustrated and lose control because that’s what happened last weekend when Southern Cal lost to Oregon. The conference should have suspended Metu for this game after his outburst last weekend, but they didn’t.
Here’s how to watch:
#5 UCLA Bruins (22-3, 9-3)
Opponent: Southern Cal Trojans (21-5, 8-5)
When: Saturday, February 12, 2017, 7:00 pm PT
Where: Pauley Pavilion, Los Angeles, CA
Game Notes:
TV: Pac 12 Network National and Los Angeles with Ted Robinson, Mike Montgomery and Lewis Johnson
Stream: Pac-12.com and the Pac-12 Now app
Radio/Audio:
- 570 AM in Los Angeles with Josh Lewin and Tracy Murray
- Sirius Channel 81/XM Channel 81 (UCLA feed)
- And, of course, the Bruins Nation Game Thread!
Live Stats: UCLA Bruins Stat Broadcast
Go Bruins!