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USC Faces Tall Order Battling Arizona In Tucson

The USC Trojans look to accomplish something they haven't done in 26 seasons today as they face the Arizona Wildcats at McKale Center in Tucson. The Trojans, who beat Arizona State 63-61 on Thursday night, need a win today over the Wildcats for their first road sweep of the Arizona school since 1985. USC is just 9-17 in their last 26 games against Arizona, and are 10-29 all-time in Tucson. The Wildcats, who are second place in the Pac-10, are 12-0 at home this season.

Nikola Vucevic helped USC dominate the middle against ASU on Thursday, hitting 10 of 17 shots on his way to 26 points and 12 rebounds. USC outrebounded ASU 36-24. Vucevic leads the Trojans in scoring (16.5 points per game) and rebounding (10.1 boards per contest) this season, and also leads USC with 12 double-doubles.

La Mirada native Derrick Williams leads the Wildcats, averaging 19.8 points and 7.9 rebounds per game. Williams scored 22 points and grabbed five boards in Thursday's win over UCLA. Arizona has bombed away from three-point range this season, attempting 19.4 shots per game and making 40.2% from distance, which would be tied for the third best mark in school history.

Here are today's probable starting lineups:

USC (12-9, 4-4)

  • Guard: Jio Fontan
  • Guard: Maurice Jones
  • Guard: Marcus Simmons
  • Forward: Alex Stephenson
  • Forward: Nikola Vucevic

Arizona St (17-4, 6-2)

Today's 4:30 p.m. PST game will be televised regionally by Fox Sports, airing in Los Angeles on Prime Ticket. Dave Sitton and Corey Williams are on the call.

For more information on today's game, be sure to read Conquest Chronicles.