Sixteenth-ranked Southern California (USC) will host UC Irvine in an early-season clash on Tuesday night in Los Angeles. USC is off to a strong start with a 2-0 record, including a season-opening victory against Kansas State and a blowout win over Cal State Bakersfield. They will look to continue their winning streak in the upcoming game against UC Irvine.
In their last game against Cal State Bakersfield, USC dominated from start to finish, never trailing in the game. Freshman guard Isaiah Collier had an impressive performance, scoring 19 points, following an 18-point debut against Kansas State. Boogie Ellis, another standout player for USC, contributed with 11 points and showcased his defensive skills with five assists and three steals.
UC Irvine comes into this game with a 1-1 record. They recently secured a 91-74 victory over New Mexico State, with Andre Henry leading the team in scoring with a career-high 19 points. Devin Tillis also had a notable performance, recording a double-double with 18 points and 10 rebounds in just 21 minutes of play. The balanced offensive output from UC Irvine’s players was a significant improvement from their season-opening loss against San Jose State.
Both teams have been impressive on the defensive end. USC’s defense has been particularly strong, holding opponents to just 35.9 percent shooting. Joshua Morgan has been a key factor in USC’s defensive success, averaging blocked shots on 11.5 percent of opponent possessions. Meanwhile, Collier and Ellis have been active on the perimeter, accumulating steals in the first two games of the season.
UC Irvine will need to replicate their offensive success against USC’s tough defense. Scoring 91 points in their last game was a positive step for the Anteaters. Coach Russell Turner believes that his team has the potential to make a difference every night and is confident in their ability to perform at a high level.
Both teams will be looking to secure another victory in this highly contested matchup. USC aims to continue their winning streak and maintain their strong defensive presence, while UC Irvine hopes to build on their recent offensive improvement. The game promises to be an exciting battle between two talented teams.
