The USC Trojans have a tough task on their hands tonight, as they begin a three-game road trip facing the Arizona State Sun Devils in Tempe. The Trojans simply have not had much success on the road recently, and are 1-5 on the road this season. USC has lost both road conference games this season, and is a paltry 4-17 in their last 21 Pac-10 road games.
The Sun Devils, at 1-6 in the conference, might seem to be a beatable foe for the Trojans, but then again so were Oregon and Oregon State. USC has lost four straight games in Tempe. The mark for the Trojans to shoot for tonight is 40%. When USC holds opponents to under 40% shooting from the field, USC is 10-1, with their only loss a two-point loss at then No. 3 Kansas. However, when opponents shoot 40% or higher, the Trojans are 1-8. Cal shot 45.1% in their 70-68 win over USC at Galen Center on Saturday.
Nikola Vucevic is averaging a double-double this season (16.1 points and 10.0 rebounds), but fouled out last game with six points and 10 rebounds against Cal. Arizona State is led in scoring by guards Ty Abbott (13.9 points per game) and Trent Lockett (13.7). Abbott is the only Sun Devil to start all seven conference games this season. ASU has lost three straight games. USC leads the all-time series with ASU, 49-33.
Here are the probable starting lineups for tonight's contest:
USC (11-9, 3-4)
- Guard: Jio Fontan
- Guard: Maurice Jones
- Guard: Marcus Simmons
- Forward: Alex Stephenson
- Forward: Nikola Vucevic
ASU (9-10, 1-6)
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Guard: Jamelle McMillan
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Guard: Ty Abbott
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Guard: Trent Lockett
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Forward: Carrick Felix
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Forward: Kyle Cain
For more information on tonight's game, be sure to read Conquest Chronicles.