USC @ #12 UCLA

This is a defining moment in the season for the USC Trojans. With a win tonight, USC will tie UCLA in the Pac-10 standings headed into the final eight games of the regular season. A win tonight also gives the Trojans a split of the season series for the second year in a row, and a second straight win at Pauley Pavilion. Both teams are playing very well right now. This is sure to be a defensive battle and whichever team executes better on offense will probably come out on top. The key will be who makes better adjustments from the first meeting.

The key to the game for USC is to keep Taj Gibson out of foul trouble. In the first meeting, Taj picked up three quick fouls and had to sit for about 14 minutes in the first half. The Trojans were able to stay in the game, but undoubtedly could have taken a lead into the half with Taj in there. The Bruins have absolutely no answer inside for Gibson, so USC should feed him early and often. Dwight Lewis also had a rough game against the Bruins the first time, only tallying four points. He will need to find a way to get some open looks against the defense from Jrue Holiday and Josh Shipp. DeMar DeRozan had a great first half in the first meeting, but was shut down in the second. The Trojans must find a way to get him involved in transition, and get him some open mid-range jumpers. Daniel Hackett must take care of the basketball against the quick Darren Collison.

Defensively, the Trojans must find a way to contain the terrific back court of UCLA, led by Darren Collison and Jrue Holiday. Maybe more importantly, USC must not let Nikola Dragovic be the X-factor that he was in the first meeting. Dragovic had three threes in that game and all of them were open looks. The Trojans must do a better job of defending the arc because the Bruins won't be able to get anything inside against Taj Gibson.

A good start tonight is critical, especially because the game is on the road. The Trojans can ill afford to have to play come back like they did in the first meeting. Also, USC must play a full 40 minutes in order to get the win. In the first game the Trojans went to sleep for too many stretches at a time. If the Trojans want a conference championship this year, they must beat the best at their house in order to get it. Let's play!