USC vs. UC Riverside preview: Trojans try to snap 5-game skid

The USC Trojans have had a full week to stew about their five-game losing streak, and will try to take it out on the UC Riverside Highlanders on Saturday afternoon at Galen Center in Los Angeles.

The Trojans lead the all-time series with UCR 5-0, including a 56-35 win in Riverside on Nov. 30 last season. That was the last road win for USC. The Trojans can't do anything about their 0-12 road record since then on Saturday, since the game is at home, where they are 2-2 this season.

Coach Kevin O'Neill said he plans to shake up the starting lineup, starting big man Omar Oraby in place of guard J.T. Terrell on Saturday. That gives USC a front line of 7'0" Dewayne Dedmon and the 7'2" Oraby to counter 6'10" UCR junior Chris Patton.

The Trojans are just 5-28 since that win last season over UCR. Saturday's 4 p.m. PT game will be televised by Pac-12 Networks, with Paul Sunderland and Chris Spatola on the call.

USC announced on Friday that freshman Zack Banner, a redshirt offensive lineman on the football team, will make his basketball debut on Jan. 4 against Stanford.