Pac 10 Basketball: Trojans seek conference glory against top Pac 10 teams
Everybody has UCLA, Washington and Arizona pegged as the teams to beat in the Pac-10 this season, with Washington State holding onto to the spot as the league’s most surprising team so far in 2006-07.
But Southern Cal would like to claim its place among the Pac-10 elite in the early going, and the Trojans get the perfect chance to do so when league play tips off today.
USC will host No. 14 Washington on Thursday night in Los Angeles and then square off with Washington State Saturday.
Troy enters Pac-10 action with a 10-3 record after knocking off sixth-ranked Wichita State on Saturday in Las Vegas, USC’s fifth win in six games since a close-call 10-point loss at Kansas on Dec. 4. The Trojans limited the Shockers to 38 percent shooting from the floor, the 12th foe in 13 games who has failed to shoot 40 percent.
Southern Cal’s defense has been a major key this season. The Trojans lead the nation in field-goal defense at 33.4 percent and are limiting foes to 26.1 percent accuracy (73-of-280) from 3-point territory.
USC junior guard Nick Young notched a season-high 26 points vs. Wichita State, his 10th straight game in double digits.
The Trojans have rattled off eight straight home wins, but have lost their last three Pac-10 openers. Washington (11-1) swept USC a year ago and owns five wins in a row over Troy to draw even in the all-time series, 62-62.
Rebounding will be a focal point tonight. With scrappy 6-foot-7 sophomore Jon Brockman (10.1 rebounds a game) and 7-footer Spencer Hawes (5.9) leading the way, Washington is dominating the glass this year, beating opponents by an average of 43.8-30.3.
The Huskies lead the Pac-10 in scoring (88 points a game) and will probably be favored on Bodog.com, but look for Southern Cal to take UW down to the wire.
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NCAA Basketball Prediction: Look for Florida Gators to be strong again and dominate NCAA Basketball this season.
