When USC and UCLA meet, the records rarely matter. The rivalry, the setting, and the talent on the floor always turn these games into must-watch matchups. Saturday night at Pauley Pavilion will be no different, as the No. 17 Trojans face the No. 4 Bruins in the first of two regular-season meetings.
UCLA enters the game at 13–1 and is widely viewed as one of the top national title contenders in the country. USC, however, brings plenty of confidence and momentum of its own. Add in former Bruin Londynn Jones now wearing cardinal and gold, freshman star Jazzy Davidson emerging as one of the best young players in the nation, and a hostile rivalry atmosphere, and USC has a real opportunity to shock its crosstown rival.
For the Trojans to leave Pauley Pavilion with a win, it starts with slowing down UCLA’s biggest advantage: Lauren Betts.
Betts is one of the most dominant post players in women’s college basketball, averaging over 16 points and eight rebounds per game. USC cannot allow her to get comfortable early. The Trojans must send help, force tough catches, and make her work on every possession. Even if Betts still scores, wearing her down and keeping her out of rhythm could limit UCLA’s offensive flow.
On the offensive end, Jazzy Davidson has to set the tone. Davidson leads USC in scoring at 16.8 points per game and has shown she can take over stretches of games. UCLA will likely throw multiple defenders at her, so her ability to make quick decisions, either scoring or creating for teammates, will be critical.
Londynn Jones and Kara Dunn also need to make an impact. Jones knows Pauley Pavilion well and could provide a spark in a hostile environment, while Dunn’s scoring and defense will be key in keeping USC competitive. The Trojans will also need someone unexpected to step up. A strong performance from Kennedy Smith or another role player could be the difference in a close game.
Defensively, USC must play with energy and discipline. UCLA’s backcourt thrives on ball movement and unselfish play, so staying connected and avoiding breakdowns is essential.
UCLA is the favorite, but rivalry games rarely follow the script. If USC plays physical defense, limits turnovers, and gets timely scoring from multiple players, the Trojans have a real chance to pull off a statement upset in Westwood.
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