Jaylen Clark led the Bruins with 15 points when they beat the Trojans at Pauley three weeks ago. (Photo Credit: Don Liebig/uclabruins.com)
Last week’s loss to Arizona cost the Bruins a few spots in this week’s Top 25 polls. UCLA fell to 8th in the AP poll and 7th in the USA Today Coaches poll. Other than that, it doesn’t currently mean much as the Bruins still hold a two-game lead in loss column in the Pac-12 standings. Technically, Utah is second a game and a half back while #6 Arizona, ASU and tonight’s opponent Southern Cal are all a full two games behind.
That means that UCLA needs to get back on track when they visit the Galen Center across town this evening.
Of course, that means that tonight’s game will be likely be tougher than the game the Bruins played a few weeks ago against Southern Cal at home. UCLA came out of that game winning by just a point. So, the Bruins can’t afford to blow a big lead like they did last time.
In the four games that the Trojans have played since losing to UCLA at Pauley, Southern Cal has gone 3-1. They started that stretch with a sweep of the Mountain schools before losing to Arizona last Thursday, 81-66. On Saturday, they salvaged a game on the road trip by beating the Sun Devils, 77-69.
The biggest change that the Trojans have made since visiting Pauley has been incorporating 5-star forward Vincent Iwuchukwu, who was sidelined this season until the Colorado game after suffering a sudden cardiac arrest during a workout in July. His playing time seems to come at the expense of Kijani Wright, who has been getting fewer minutes since the 7-footer returned.
While Iwuchukwu is only averaging 4.0 ppg in his four games, neither Wright nor Malik Thomas scored against UCLA last time. Iwuchukwu could prove to be the difference maker if the Bruins lose their second straight tonight.
Listen to the Game With TMB
Tonight’s game will be on ESPN with Dave Pasch and Bill Walton calling the game. If you prefer, you can listen to Josh Lewin and Tracy Murray. Just be sure to right-click on it so that you can open up another tab and have it going while you chat in the comments below. Listen to today’s game online.
This is your UCLA men’s basketball vs. Southern Cal Trojans game thread. Here’s how to watch tonight’s game:
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I'm having major problems with the substack here; a window with "something went wrong" keeps popping up and I cannot use the thread or post (lucky you LOL)
Okay, I can't keep reloading to just post my comments. I'll try again in fifteen minutes. If site not working at that time, then we'll talk another time. Go Bruins!
U - Clap, Clap, Clap, Clap
Go Bruins!! (I assume BSPN will delay or miss our start, as usual?)
Bruins starting on ESPN News
Aw, C'mon ESPN, SMU is down by 20 to Memphis and 3 minutes left, Let us see our game!
Watching ESPN App until Mempjis game is over.
Watching ESPN App until Mempjis game is over.
We missed Bona on a pick-and-roll, but controlling offense board on that last series
Sounds like a good contingent of UCLA fans today
Aw, C'mon ESPN, SMU is down by 20 to Memphis and 3 minutes left, Let us see our game!
sounds like a good contingent of ucla fans at Galen Center today
Throw it down, big man!!
Hope to see better FT shooting tonight
Clark hit 1 free throw, Bona with rebound easy 2.. 5-2 Bruins
I'm having major problems with the substack here; a window with "something went wrong" keeps popping up and I cannot use the thread or post (lucky you LOL)
Gonna need to stop Peterson tonight.
Gonna need to contain Peterson
Okay, I can't keep reloading to just post my comments. I'll try again in fifteen minutes. If site not working at that time, then we'll talk another time. Go Bruins!
Gonna need to contain Peterson
Are we back on BSPN2 now?
Bona's hands are soso. He brings the ball down on rebounds and gets stripped a lot. And that should've been an easy catch on the fast break.
Etinne first big off the bench today
Tyger!
1-6 $UC, SUC!
1-6 $UC, SUC!
We are quite sloppy so far.
This is a challenging matchup. We will need to make some shots tonight.
SC's defensive intensity is better. They have hit some easy open shots.
Nice ball movement and Aden dunk!
Bona with the jam!
SC's defensive intensity is better. They have hit some easy open shots.
I love how fast Bona gets up and throws down. Don't monkey around down there
Great ATO call by Cronin!
Amari should make that shot.
Amari should make that shot.
We are quite sloppy so far.
We are quite sloppy so far.
Good D that time by Bona. Keep it up. We are forcing them to foul. That is good. Need to hit FT's.
Drew Peterson is a dick.
Should be a flagrant. Funny that Clark was the only one who actually jumped for that rebound.
Amari needs to attack the basket to get an easy bucket. Nice Jaylen! Make them pay for the dirty play.
Should be a flagrant. Funny that Clark was the only one who actually jumped for that rebound.
Tied - I'll take it at this point.
Jaylen ties it for us!
Tied - I'll take it at this point.
not sure what Walton is talking about, Cronin has only played zone once this season.
Go Jaime!
Jaquez with the 3!
Jaylen ties it for us!
Our defensive intensity has improved in the last five min.
Better ball movement so far. We need David Tripleton to return.