Morning Question

USC has a chance if we play smart, disciplined basketball and avoid the plethora of turnovers that has previously occurred. Yet, I think we need to turn up the defensive pressure to create turnovers and get fast break baskets. That will be hard to do against FUCLA's guards. We also need monster games from our front court, especially Taj Gibson (who has to avoid foul trouble) and Davon Jefferson.

Fight On!

A chance? Sure, SC has enough talent to pull out a win. The Trojans probably would have a better chance if they were playing at home. Since the game is at Pauley and Love is playing really well, it should be a pretty easy Bruin victory.

Pauley Pavilion is a difficult place to win. And the bruins seldom play a poor game against SC in that arena. If ucla plays its customary game then SC loses. The Trojans must play tough interior defense and let the westwood boys bomb from the outside where they are most vulnerable.

SC has to hit a high percentage of shots, and Mayo must distribute. There has been too much hot dog on the mayo, and he is not Kobe Bryant caliber. The Bigs cannot be outrebounded by 10 or more again, that is fatal.

I would think the line will be set at about 9 to 11, which sounds about right. SC could do it but I would think its chances are about 10%. Still, I will be there (the lone Trojan voice on the floor as usual) because there are few thrills in life to compare beating ucla at its own game.

1. No mustard on the Mayo, please-- take only good shots.
2. The Bigs cannot be out-rebounded by 10 or more.
3. Must protect the interior from easy buckets; let them fire away from outside; this bruin team is not a great shooting team.
4. Keep score low; make a high percentage of shots.
5. Avoid the 10-15 point ucla runs.

That said, SC has maybe a 10% chance of winning, and the betting line will probably be about 9-11 points. But 10% is not lottery odds, so I will be there because it is so sweet to beat ucla at its own game.