No. 2 UCLA Ends the Regular Season at Rival USC
No. 2 UCLA girls’s basketball (27-1, 17-0 Big Ten) travels throughout city to the Galen Center for its regular-season finale in opposition to rival USC (17-11, 9-8) on Sunday afternoon (3 pm PT, FS1).
UCLA has already wrapped up the Big Ten regular-season championship, the first in program historical past, however there may be additionally fairly a bit using on this recreation: bragging rights.
Over the previous few seasons, UCLA and USC have intensified their rivalry with the rise of each groups to nationwide prominence. In the earlier three seasons, the Bruins and Trojans performed eight occasions, splitting these video games.
Last season, UCLA was ranked No. 2 in the nation and using to a 24-0 document, the finest begin in program historical past, till it confronted then-No. 8 USC. The Bruins misplaced that recreation, struggling their first lack of the season, though they might face the Trojans yet one more time.
Fast ahead to the 2024-25 regular-season finale at Pauley Pavilion, the place UCLA may get revenge and presumably lock up its first Big Ten regular-season title. That didn’t occur, as USC earned the win and the championship. However, it was not the ultimate assembly of the season.
UCLA and USC met once more in the Big Ten Tournament championship recreation, with the Bruins coming away victorious, 72-67. The win additionally secured UCLA the general No. 1 seed in the nation.
Things are totally different this 12 months, as the Bruins have dominated almost each opponent they’ve confronted, whereas USC has had a substandard season, particularly with star guard JuJu Watkins out for the season with a torn ACL.
In the first assembly this season, UCLA dominated then-No. 17 USC, 80-46. Despite the efforts of first-year guard Jazzy Davidson (6-foot-1), the Bruins shut down the Trojans, enhancing to 10-1 in opposition to Top 25 opponents.
UCLA continues to steer the nation in Quad 1 wins in the NET rankings with 16. USC has not been as lucky. In addition to an underwhelming season, not too long ago highlighted by a shocking 85-82 loss to Penn State — certainly one of the worst groups in the convention — the Trojans have struggled in the standings. The loss marked the finish of a two-game skid and continued their slide.
Currently, USC is ninth in the convention, twenty second in the NET rankings and simply 4-8 in opposition to Top 25 opponents. Considering all that, this doesn’t bode effectively for coach Lindsay Gottlieb and her squad.
In head-to-head statistical comparisons, USC is averaging 70.9 factors per recreation, twelfth in the Big Ten, and permitting 62.0, fourth in the convention. By comparability, UCLA is averaging 85.9 factors, sixth in the nation, and permitting simply 57.4, twenty fifth nationally.
Without Watkins, USC has altered its offensive model. Instead of relying solely on the former nationwide participant of the 12 months, the Trojans have emphasised a extra balanced, collective effort, though solely 4 gamers have made a big impression this season.
Davidson leads the group in a number of statistical classes. She averages 18.1 factors per recreation, ninth in the league, together with 6.0 rebounds, 124 assists, 57 steals and 60 blocks.
After his efficiency this season, Davidson is on monitor for freshman of the 12 months honors. This previous week, she once more earned Big Ten Player of the Week, her seventh such honor this season
Guard Kara Dunn (5-11) is subsequent, averaging 15.9 factors and 5.4 rebounds. She can also be second on the group in area objective share at 47.8%
Guard Kennedy Smith (6-1) provides 11.5 factors and 4.6 rebounds. Rounding out the prime 4 scorers is former UCLA guard Londynn Jones (5-4), who averages 10.3 factors
USC has the means to attain and might capitalize on turning protection into offense. However, the Trojans have a number of deficiencies that don’t match up effectively with the Bruins. UCLA is deeper, longer and extra proficient. If there may be one potential drawback, it’s that UCLA has misplaced at the Galen Center every of the final two seasons
Still, if this season has proven something, it’s that UCLA can overcome important challenges. The Bruins are additionally 14-0 in true highway video games
UCLA doesn’t essentially must win, having already secured the Big Ten championship, however the stakes stay excessive. It is a rivalry recreation, and the Bruins would presumably like to shut the common season with a win alongside a veteran group that features heart Lauren Betts, level guard Kiki Rice, guards Gabriela Jaquez, Gianna Kneepkens and Charlisse Leger-Walker, and ahead Angela Dugalic.
PREDICTION
No. 2 UCLA Bruins 84
USC Trojans 68
