(Sports Network) The Oregon State Beavers get a three-game road trip underway tonight, as they invade the Galen Center to challenge the USC Trojans in a Pac-10 matchup.
The Beavers enter the contest on a low note, as they were upended, 61-55, by Washington State on Saturday. It marked the fourth loss in the past five games for OSU, which dipped to 4-7 within the conference. To make matters worse, the Beavers now head out to the road, where they have gone just 1-7, including 0-4 in league play.
As for the Trojans, they have been out of action for just over a week now, last participating in a 64-50 loss at UCLA on February 2nd. The loss was the second straight and third in four games for USC, which is now just 4-6 in conference action. The good news though, is USC now returns back home, where the team has logged a successful 9-3 mark.
USC leads the all-time series with OSU, 65-59, but the Beavers have won the last three meetings, including an 80-76 triumph just last month.
The Beavers went a horrific 11-of-23 at the foul line and that cost them in a 61-55 loss to Washington State this past weekend. OSU didn't help matters with a 2-of-17 effort from long range, although the team did hang close by scoring 22 points off 20 Washington State turnovers. Devon Collier paced the Beavers in the setback with a double-double of 16 points and 10 rebounds, while Jared Cunningham posted 12 points and five steals. Cunningham currently leads the squad in scoring at 13.8 ppg and he is also a terrific defender with 64 steals to his credit. Calvin Haynes adds 10.0 ppg for the Beavers, who are averaging 70.0 ppg as a team.
USC simply could not find its stroke last time out, shooting only 29.3 percent from the floor in a loss to UCLA. The Trojans also struggled from long range (1-of-9) and at the foul line (9-of-17), in addition to losing the battle on the boards, 39-25. Nikola Vucevic guided the squad in defeat with 18 points and seven rebounds, while Alex Stepheson checked in with 14 points and eight boards. On the campaign, Vucevic heads the team in scoring and rebounding with his near double-double average of 16.7 ppg and 9.8 rpg. Jio Fontan follows with 10.5 ppg and Donte Smith adds 10.3 ppg coming off the bench. Smith is also the team's top three-point threat, connecting on 39.4 percent of his attempts.
The Trojans are well rested and back at home, so expect them to prevail over an OSU squad that has struggled on the road.
For more assorted Trojans miscellany, visit SB Nation's Conquest Chronicles.