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UCLA vs. USC: 3 key storylines to watch for 2020-21 Pac-12 matchup

By Chris Thedinga

LOS ANGELES, CA - MARCH 07: Jaime Jaquez Jr. #4 of the UCLA Bruins guards Daniel Utomi #4 of the USC Trojans as he drives to the basket in the game at Galen Center on March 7, 2020 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Jayne Kamin-Oncea/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA - MARCH 07: Jaime Jaquez Jr. #4 of the UCLA Bruins guards Daniel Utomi #4 of the USC Trojans as he drives to the basket in the game at Galen Center on March 7, 2020 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Jayne Kamin-Oncea/Getty Images) /
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Southern California Trojans Evan Mobley Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Southern California Trojans Evan Mobley Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports /

Trojans have a size advantage in the frontcourt

The USC starting lineup features guys standing 6’7, 6’8, 6’10, and 6’11 to go along with Tahj Eaddy. The Trojans have the tallest starting lineup of anyone in the country, which can create quite a few problems for opposing teams.

Especially a UCLA team that lost 6’9 star Chris Smith earlier this year due to injury. The two tallest guys in UCLA’s lineup are 6’9 Cody Riley and 6’6 Jaime Jaquez Jr.  Now, this UCLA team is full of guys who love to compete and they play with their coach’s grittiness. However, this height discrepancy will show on both the offensive and defensive sides of the ball.

Drew Peterson, a Rice transfer, has proved to be a huge addition to Andy Enfield’s team. Peterson has guard type ball skills while standing at 6’8 and can post up smaller guards with ease. Not to mention he shoots the three at a 40% clip. It will likely be Juzang guarding Peterson and vice-a-versa in this one.

UCLA has yet to play their two big men, Riley and Jalen Hill, at the same time this year. Mick Cronin may be tempted to do it in this one to limit the size advantage inside. USC has a +8.3 rebounding margin this year– if they get close to that number in this game they can expect to come away with the win.

If the Mobley brothers along with reserve forward Max Agbonkpolo can be a bit more consistent from outside, it could really take this USC team to the next level. Evan and Isaiah Mobley are both hovering right around 30% from deep this year, and if they become legitimate three-point threats that adds just one more thing for defenses to be cognizant of going forward.

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