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Sometimes you want to make a quick pit stop, empty the bladder, grab a bag of salty snacks and limber up the limbs before hitting the open road again. For the fast-minded who enjoy simple $2 scratchers hoping to uncover the jackpot-winning image, here are quick thoughts and the lean on UCLA vs. USC.
UCLA (14-6, 5-4) at USC (12-7, 4-4)
Date: Monday, January 27
Time: 10 p.m. ET
TV: FS1
For the first time in nine months, rain fell in the greater Los Angeles area over the weekend.
After weeks of wildfire travesty, the welcomed relief was just what the doctor ordered. Of course, mudslides now become a significant concern given the scorched landscape, but any precipitation from the heavens is worth the risk. Brave firefighters who continue to fight the ongoing blazes are thankful for any assistance.
[ Bracket Big Board: Brad Evans' latest NCAA Tournament projections ]
Not far from where the Palisades and Eaton fires raged, the annual “Crosstown Showdown” will commence at the Galen Center. In the 264 all-time meetings between the City of Angels schools, UCLA — no surprise — has dominated with a 149-114 record. USC, however, has gained the upper hand in recent years, knocking off its archnemesis in seven of the last 11 clashes.
Yes, on-court Pac 12 insignias have been oddly replaced with Big Ten logos, but for an area very much in the throes of recovery, the renewed rivalry is a terrific distraction. Somewhere on cloud nine, Bill Walton has his popcorn ready.
The pick — SGP: USC +3.5, Game OVER 130.5 (+104, Caesars)
For the Trojans, this matchup is the definition of “bubblicious.” Currently at BartTorvik, Fight On has a 14.1% chance of punching its at-large ticket for the NCAA Tournament. A triumph over its mortal enemy won’t boost its 2-5 Quad 1 record, but with the Bruins as passengers on a similar boat, a victory could prove decisive when the selection committee debates behind closed doors who’s in and who’s out come March.
USC’s season-swaying wins at Illinois, against Iowa and at Nebraska have the arrow pointing up. Ranked No. 38 overall this month on Torvik, the Trojans are No. 82 nationally in effective field-goal percentage offense, shooting 54.8% inside the 3-point line and 35.8% beyond it.
In the aforementioned conquests, Desmond Claude has cooked. Against the Illini, Hawkeyes and Cornhuskers, the junior transfer from Xavier totaled a ridiculous 77 points, scoring almost uninhibitedly on downhill rim attacks. Not to be overlooked, sixth man Rashaun Agee has unexpectedly splashed the cylinder from outside, netting eight of 14 3s in his last four games.
Mick Cronin’s crew is in a similar tier as the Trojans since the ball dropped for the new year. Over its last seven games, UCLA is No. 42 in the country, according to Torvik. Skyy Clark has piled up the production, but with Tyler Bilodeau (ankle) banged-up and other teammates' general inconsistencies, the team from Westwood has been a tough group to assess.
The Bruins have ripped off three-straight wins, but they’re also only No. 177 in eFG offense and a shocking No. 335 in eFG defense this month. One has to wonder if they will finish the B1G slate above .500.
The clash between storied antagonists could come down to off-the-bench X-factors. If Agee continues his outside assault, SC is likely to hold home court. However, if Aday Mara continues to blossom — the 7-foot-3 Spanish import has scored a combined 34 points in UCLA’s last two victories — the Bruins presumably escape with the W.
For this gambler, building in a sensible cushion seems smart.
Protect your house, Trojans.
Season record: 17-13, +3.77 units