USC beats down Arizona

This picture (from ESPN) sums up the entire game for the Wildcats, whose top two scorers (freshman guard Jerryd Bayless and sophomore wing man Chase Budinger) were held to a combined 15 points, as the Trojans smothered them defensively all night. USC Coach Tim Floyd and his staff put together a great game-plan, keeping the Wildcats off balance by often playing that unconventional "Triangle and 2" defense, which achieved its purpose of taking Arizona's two big stars out of the game and forcing one of the other Wildcats to beat them. The win all but guarantees an NCAA Tournament bid for the Trojans, who improved their record to (18-9 overall, 9-6 Pac-10), and adds to their impresive list of Pac-10 road victories which already included fucla and Oregon. USC was able to frustrate Jerryd Bayless, who sat out with foul trouble early in the game, and held him to one of his worst games of his young career. O.J. Mayo turned in his 3rd straight outstanding performance since the fucla game, playing all 40 minutes and finishing with 21 points, 6 assists, and 3 rebounds. ESPN's Jay Bilas noted the maturation and development of Mayo as a player and his in-game decision making. Mayo read his screens well and was not hesitant to take the shot or drop it down to either Taj Gibson (14 points) or Davon Jefferson (15 points, 14 rebounds). Daniel Hackett returned from his back injury and played 24 quality minutes, including some clutch play down the stretch. This was a big win for the Trojans, and can now clinch a top 4 finish in the Pac-10 with a win on Saturday at Arizona State.

Tomorrow's game is apparently at noon (Pacific Time), so hopefully the early start won't throw off the team and will provide ample time for them to heal and rest up. ASU (17-10, 7-8) is two games back of the Trojans in Pac-10 play and is reeling after getting crushed by fucla for the 2nd time this season on Thursday 70-49. The Sun Devils are on that NCAA Bubble and need to win a few more games to solidify their spot. Let's get that desert sweep guys.

Fight On! Beat the Devils!

USC vs ucla: Keys to the Game

The fiercest rivalry in college sports continues tonight at the Galen Center as the Trojans go for the season sweep over the hated bRUINS. USC comes into this game extremely thin at the guard position after the injury to Daniel Hackett, but the atmosphere should be electric and should give our guys the spark they need to pull this one out. Westwood College is reeling after dropping their last game at Washington and could also be a man short if forward Luc Richard Mbah a Moute can't go tonight. Don't expect USC to shoot 61% from the field like they did in the first game, but do expect Coach Howland to make several adjustments for his bRUINS. All the signs point to fucla winning this game, but don't think for a second that they are going to come in here and dominate on our home court. The contributors to this blog will be there, loud and proud, and making life hell for the bRUINS all night. Tim Floyd is an excellent head coach and his staff will undoubtedly put together another nice game-plan like we've seen them do before. Here's what I believe are the keys to tonight's game (in order of importance).

(1) Davon Jefferson -- The freshman forward had a monster game in the first meeting at Pauley, throwing down 25 points to go with 9 rebounds and this thunderous dunk that sealed the game...
We need more of that from Davon and less of his pre-game chatter as DC Trojan pointed out over on Conquest Chronicles. He's put himself on the spot with his nonsense, but he needs to assert himself into the game early. USC needs to feed him in the post, where one of 2 things will happen, isolation on Alfred Aboya or Kevin Love, or he'll likely get double teamed. If Davon gets doubled, he can then look to Taj Gibson underneath for a dunk or kick it out for an open three. If somehow he gets a one on one matchup, he needs to go to work and get fucla's big men in foul trouble.

(2) Slow the Game Down -- The Trojans have no scholarship players coming off the bench at the guard spot, so Angelo Johnson, Dwight Lewis, and O.J. Mayo need to walk it up the court and play smart. Unless they get a clear break away lay up or a 3 on 1 opportunity, they need to play under control. Once in the half-court they need to spread out the defense and get a good shot going towards the basket. If the Trojans can get to the free throw line, they'll not only get the bRUINS in foul trouble, but they'll catch a blow and regroup for the next possession. Coach Floyd needs to use the media timeouts wisely as well, by subbing out Johnson, Lewis, and Mayo right before each media timeout which occurs at the 16, 12, 8, and 4 minute marks. If he can buy a minute of game-time, the media timeout will extend it to at least five minutes of actual time for our guards to rest.

(3) Defensive Rebounding -- Gibson and Jefferson must control the defensive boards, doing so will cause three things. First, it will eliminate easy buckets off put backs. USC's half court defense is solid, but they can't waste good defensive possessions by giving up a cheap two. Second, defensive rebounds limit the number of defensive possessions, which in turn, decreases the chances for our guys to get in foul trouble. Last, if our guys our boxing out and winning position, then we're bound to get some over the back fouls on Love and Aboya.

I think I will refrain from making any predictions, except that we have a much better chance than people think, nevertheless, this game promises to be a good one. We've had some memorable games against these cats at home the last few years, including Aaron Awful-O's heartbreaker last year, Ryan Francis leading us to victory in 2006, or Desmond Farmer playing out of his mind in our 2004 victory. Let's just say the money line for USC to win is $240 bucks, that means betting $100 wins you $240, I might just take that bet. Fuck it, let's make a prediction, it worked for Plaxico in the Super Bowl. USC wins a close one by winning the battle at the free throw line, and nestor and the rest of his misfits over at bRUINS Nation cry all week about the poor officiating.

Let's get loud and Black Out the Bruins tonight!

Fight On!