Trojans Topple Bruins Once Again in Crosstown Showdown
by Joey Kaufman on Feb 15, 2010 4:58 PM PST
in USC Basketball
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PrintSometimes it takes the logic of a Bruin fan to put things into proper perspective. At the start of the first half of USC's 68-64 victory over UCLA on Sunday night, a young boy decked in powdered blue held up a sign directed toward the USC student section that read, "Are you busy this March?". Of course, the sign intended to poke fun at the fact that the Trojans will not be eligible for the postseason due to those now infamous self-imposed sanctions.
However, what makes his sign so ironic is the fact that UCLA isn't exactly headed for an appearance in the Big Dance this March either. At this point in time, the Bruins are 11-13 on the season and are on pace to experience their third losing season since 1948. To make matters worse, Sunday night marked the third consecutive loss that the Bruins have experienced at the hands of the Trojans - the first time in the post-Wooden era. Clearly, things aren't exactly cozy over there in Westwood.
But in the midst of the peril surrounding Ben Howland's program, Kevin O'Neill and the Trojans are enjoying quite a bit of success, as their victory on Sunday night marked the first time since 2004 that USC had swept the Bruins. It wasn't pretty once again, but KO's Crew got it done as a result of pesky defense and forcing turnovers.
Despite being out-rebounded 45-26, the Trojans' defensive pressure forced 20 UCLA turnovers - directly leading to 26 points for USC.
"Give them credit," Howland told the press following the game. "They forced turnovers. We have to learn to take better care of the ball."
But in the midst of 'SC's strong defense effort, the team was able to defeat the Bruins in large part because of an offense that stepped up at all the right times.
Senior guard Dwight Lewis, who would be playing in his final game of the crosstown rivalry, stepped up in a big way with a game-high 23 points in 32 minutes of action. It was the second time this season that the Bruin Killer posted big numbers against UCLA. In the first matchup at Pauley Pavilion, he finished with 24 points. But what was even more remarkable this time around was his offensive efficiency. Lewis went 8-of-13 from the field, including 3-of-6 from three point territory and 4-of-4 from the free-throw line.
For a player, who has been much maligned by Trojan fans for his inconsistency, it was refreshing to see him step up in a big way. With no postseason, it would have been easy for the group of seniors to give up, but Lewis, along with Mike Gerrity and Marcus Johnson, continue to put their best effort forward while proving their detractors wrong.
But as usual, it wasn't a one-man effort on the offensive end. Certainly, Lewis got his points, but the Trojans got big-time efforts from unexpected sources, namely 5'11" reserve guard Donte Smith. Smith, who once started at point guard before Mike Gerrity returned to the court in mid-December, matched his career-high with 12 points while shooting 4-of-7 from the field.
However, this game was more than just Xs and Os. It was about the changing landscape of the college basketball scene in Los Angeles. UCLA, the school with eleven national championships in its illustrious history, looks to be headed toward the bottom of the Pac-10, while the Trojans appear to be closing the gap between the two programs ever so quickly.
No, we are not going to go around parading through Southern California, declaring that the LA basketball monopoly is over, but it is safe to say that these two programs are far more competitive than any point in recent history. In the past eight matchups, the Trojans hold a 4-4 record against the Bruins. In terms of head-to-head matchups, it's been incredibly close and evident of a gap narrowing by the month. It isn't like the football version of the rivalry, where there is a tremendous difference as scene by USC winning ten times since 1999.
Just using recent results, it's clear that the gap is closing. No, the schools aren't on a equal playing field just yet, but the Trojans, under first year coach Kevin O'Neill, are clearly making huge strides. Strides that nobody, myself included, expected to have been made this early.
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I don't understand this talk of gaps
In the three years before this, UCLA was 6-2 against USC. UCLA was a top 15 team each year, with two Final Fours and narrowly missing a 4th straight Pac-10 championship. USC was a top 30 team each year. This year USC is 2-0 but no longer a top 60 team nationwide. UCLA dropped even farther, out of the top 100. Next year, USC will drop more with the loss of several key players. UCLA’s future is uncertain.
More importantly, the schools have and will continue to operate on completely separate planes in recruiting. There just isn’t that relationship between the two programs that exists in football. As a result, it doesn’t make sense to talk about the landscape of college basketball in Los Angeles in the same way it does in football. It really doesn’t matter how the two programs stack up against each other.
Hmmm...
I can see where the talk of gaps would confuse you…it is not like you guys have done anything yet in FB.
You are right in regards to recruiting…a #1 and #3 recruiting class and you guys look like we do in down seasons. all that talent and BH can’t do better than that?
He is the master recruiter and the defensive guru yet the players either don’t stay or don’t respond to his schemes. He doesn’t change or he recruits the wrong players…Sure BH had a great run a few years back but what has he done lately?
Considering what we have been through this season, I think SC hoops has done a great job staying in it this season.
And don’t get started on FB…you guys haven’t done anything yet under the new regime…RN has yet to to show anyone what he can do with HIS talent. Lots of talk, lots of childish games but still no big wins and he is getting some really great players…you know who steal books etc…
I think you missed the point of my post
or at least you completely failed to address it.
Firstly, going backward slower is not progress. Secondly (and again most importantly), the relative strength of the two programs lacks the importance it has in football because the competition in recruiting simply does not exist.
And since you decided to bring up UCLA football, it is worth pointing out that 4 wins to 7 wins does constitute progress, certainly to a far greater extent than top 30 to not-top 50.
by SuperBruinMan on Feb 15, 2010 6:38 PM PST up reply actions
You only talk about what you think is real, so it comes down to the Field and Court and the University Of Southern California Rules that too.
LA Sports is what keep me off the streets and out of trouble, thanks to all the teams Rams, Dodgers, Lakers, USC sports and the Love of Tennis.
by so.cal.native1952 on Feb 15, 2010 6:41 PM PST up reply actions
Yeah I can see what you mean about Progress...
Easy to progress when ND turns down a bowl game and pitiful Army, thankfully, couldn’t get it done.
Yeah Temple was a real power house who progressed too after some crappy years. kind of like battling for last place.
Again, you guys are strong in recruiting in hoops but have had nothing to show for it of late. Seems to me that many said that about SC in terms of FB recruiting…all that talent and all we could do was win the Pac-10 for 7 years and then we shit the bed last season…
Sometimes gaps are not defined in wins and losses but in how teams grab attention off the court…like beating your rival 3 times in a row…
Oh and yesterday we beat their tennis team 4-0 sunday, it just keeps on coming.
LA Sports is what keep me off the streets and out of trouble, thanks to all the teams Rams, Dodgers, Lakers, USC sports and the Love of Tennis.
by so.cal.native1952 on Feb 15, 2010 6:55 PM PST up reply actions
...and
13-3 in women’s water polo the weekend before
--Conquest Chronicles, SBNation's USC Trojans blog
by Joey Kaufman on Feb 15, 2010 6:56 PM PST up reply actions
Of late...
One year seems like an awfully short attention span. This year’s team was meant to be built around the 2008 class. Two busts and a malcontent later and you have a failure for a season. With the size of the team in basketball, the margin of error is always going to be much smaller. Meanwhile the 2009 class has given plenty of reasons to be optimistic, and I think it’s a stretch to say that there’s much of a long term “trend” in Howland’s recruiting success, in spite of what’s said on BN. UCLA has two of the top three west coast recruits coming in along with a JC PG that can shoot FT’s and presumably get the ball up the court.
Meanwhile in football, UCLA was well clear of 4 wins before beating Temple.
by SuperBruinMan on Feb 15, 2010 7:02 PM PST up reply actions
What was the reason last season in hoops?
I mean at those ’FOUR LETTERS" mean kids just flock to you right?
As for FB…0-5 to start the Pac-10….and you beat some bad teams to get those four wins.
Not really concerned about what is said on BN…they can claim “intellectual honesty” all they want…I would never allow anyone bash our coaches the way they do there.
You keep thinking those happy thoughts…moral victories can keep anyone warm at night…
Last year
I’m not going to recap the entire season, but UCLA was clearly a top 15 team until Collison’s injury in the last game of the regular season. After that, they played their worst game of the season against USC in the Pac-10 tournament and were given a much worse seed than deserved and the longest trip of any team in the country to play a team on one of its home courts. Last season was somewhat unfortunate but not a failure. Not sure what any of this has to do with moral victories…
by SuperBruinMan on Feb 15, 2010 7:34 PM PST up reply actions
But that was a real victory
A bit like USC’s basketball wins this season.
by SuperBruinMan on Feb 15, 2010 7:35 PM PST up reply actions
Not in my book
And the teams’ recruiting afterward reflected that. The 2006 game on the other hand provided a huge boost to recruiting. And that’s a boost USC basketball is unlikely to see for the reasons I gave in the original post. I’m not sure there’s much more to say on this.
by SuperBruinMan on Feb 15, 2010 7:59 PM PST up reply actions
It like i have been saying for 2 years know player really don't want to play in Ben's system.
Defense is fine and dandy (if you are KO NBA sets) but Ben continues to think this is the Big East and walk the ball up court. With the kids he gets he has to stop doing that or they will bolt, don’t think that all on roster will be there next year. The new College BB player wants to score too, it’s just human nature.
Good Luck B——Ruin you are going to need it.
LA Sports is what keep me off the streets and out of trouble, thanks to all the teams Rams, Dodgers, Lakers, USC sports and the Love of Tennis.
by so.cal.native1952 on Feb 15, 2010 8:05 PM PST up reply actions
I don't know but what Bruin man forgets that all these players not only talk, but have the Internet at their disposal.
It not like 15-20 years ago!
LA Sports is what keep me off the streets and out of trouble, thanks to all the teams Rams, Dodgers, Lakers, USC sports and the Love of Tennis.
by so.cal.native1952 on Feb 15, 2010 8:31 PM PST up reply actions
Spare me...I call Bull Shit SBM...
Shit happens…so DC gets injured…what, all that talent and no depth?
SC loses to Ore. St. and gets shut out of the MNC game…again shit happens.
Worse seed than deserved? Wahhh, cry me a river…I guess the 4 letters don’t have that much weight with the committee. Maybe you guys weren’t as good as you thought.
Worst game against SC? Who is that on? The players or the coach?
You can rationalize it from here till the end of time but it means nothing…there is always some luck involved, ucla didn’t have any.
All those top players and all this angst of late…
Here is a home work assignment for you, seeing that you are into stats and rankings, what were the star ratings of players Collison, Shipp, Westbrook, Aboya, Mata Real…etc in comparison to the last three recruiting classes?
I would bet that they were not as high as the most recent classes. I would bet that the earlier guys were grinders not “stars”. Because BH got ucla to the FF 3 times I would bet that the top players flocked to ucla to try and be a part of it…to try and push it over the top. SC had that same issue in FB…PC didn’t manage a number of players properly…we saw the results. Looks like BH is having the same problem…
In the end SC Hoops has done recently what ucla FB has not done very often…beat their rival.
by Paragon SC on Feb 16, 2010 5:01 AM PST up reply actions 1 recs
Well, I think we've reached the point
where none of this has anything to do with my original post
by SuperBruinMan on Feb 16, 2010 5:26 PM PST up reply actions
Like we know you get the Fat Albert of HSBB (josh smith) 356 and still growing--growing etc.
LA Sports is what keep me off the streets and out of trouble, thanks to all the teams Rams, Dodgers, Lakers, USC sports and the Love of Tennis.
by so.cal.native1952 on Feb 15, 2010 7:12 PM PST up reply actions
Ucla isn't even on our football radar
Progress? Yeah, that’s right- good ol’ criminal in shining ardor that Slick Rick is, as he came in to rescue a football program down in the doldrums and with a bare cupboard at that. Right?. . . . . . So, anyways-
You guys went to being somewhat competitive in the Pac 10 football landscape to putting your collective hands together praying for the promises not even close to being fullfilled by a "reformed’ HC who’s been full of empty cheer and rah-rah! So, yes- your starting point at “4-wins” (which HE put you through) and “moving on up” to 7 wins is “progress”, I guess. Whatever blows your skirt up, mister? But even still, how is that “monopoly is over” business going for you guys. Apart from class-jumping on Letter-of-Intent Day these past two seasons, there are solid arguments out there to proves conclusively Slick Rick’s “gap-a-closing” isn’t anywhere near the realm of truth or reality.
Let’s bring this center stage to Pac 10 basketball: Tim Floyd had started our “progress” in Trojan basketball by coaching our teams to 3 straight post-season appearances. The first time in USC basketball history. You wanna talk about real progress? Well, we’ve got it in spades for basketball. Does that make us an elite-level basketball program hot on the heels of Ucla Bruin basketball? Hell no, not yet at least. But we, too, have had a few pretty good years in recruiting in basketball- much like your football team’s recent success in landing top-notch players to fill out our respective teams. You can’t seriously be of the opinion that we aren’t your competitors in recruiting both here locally and on a national level as it applies to basketball recruits, are you?
We recruit different type players to fulfill different and specific needs as it applies to our basketball teams. We starting from the ground up and we’ll take what we can get at practically any and all of the 5-spots. You take what you want to tailor to your team’s needs. Are our respective recruits any more or less elite from one another? No, absolutely not. Many national elite players are “asking” to be on our team. We aren’t gaining any has-beens or lardasses. Granted, we’re not filling out our teams with “Parade All-Americans”, but. . . . neither are you guys. You might have 1 – 5 of ‘em. We, might not have any. But all 5 of whatever you got aren’t on the same floor all the time. Some, don’t pan out.
In short, we’re on a closer level- competitively and recruiting-wise than you might think Bruin.. It’s not our fault you can’t realize that reality. While we’re in the hunt for winning the conference’s regular season- your team is strategizing ways to crash the Pac 10 Tournament basketball party with the slim hopes of being invited to the NCAA tournament. You guys will be lucky to get invited to the NIT this year.
Sound familiar? Like, in post-season football bowl games?
It’s 2010 Bruins, and Trojan athletics are the ones truly working on championships and closing gaps.
"As for being a Raiders fan, I wouldn't wish that fucking shit on anybody." [the venerable OTS at Roll Bama Roll}
by BixBeiderbecke on Feb 15, 2010 7:07 PM PST up reply actions
Two big differences
Gaps open and close much faster in basketball than football. It takes four years to build an O-line in football, you can build a starting lineup in a single season in BB. You can’t really compare recruiting between the two sports. The second one is the 7 wins in football were build on a softer OOC. Fact is Rick has the same conference record in both seasons, that is the true measure of progress. This coming season 7 wins might be the best they can do. That would say a lot don’t you think?
by ev on Feb 15, 2010 8:50 PM PST up reply actions
wow if they win 7 next year I would say woo who, i mean that would mean 7-2 or 6-3 pac-10.
when was the last time that happen
LA Sports is what keep me off the streets and out of trouble, thanks to all the teams Rams, Dodgers, Lakers, USC sports and the Love of Tennis.
by so.cal.native1952 on Feb 15, 2010 8:57 PM PST up reply actions
But Para what about that Eagle Bowl over mighty Temple
LA Sports is what keep me off the streets and out of trouble, thanks to all the teams Rams, Dodgers, Lakers, USC sports and the Love of Tennis.
by so.cal.native1952 on Feb 15, 2010 6:39 PM PST up reply actions
You must have spent the whole day drinking SBM
There just isn’t that relationship between the two programs that exists in football
WTF are you talking about? Weasel has yet to win anything. Maybe you just need to have a super b.m. to clear up your mind. Come back after you’re done, and don’t forget to wipe thoroughly!
STILL LOCO AFTER ALL THESE YEARS!
NOW CELEBRATING THE DAWN OF THE AGE OF AUGUSTUS
M·AGRIPPA·L·F·COS·TERTIVM·FECIT
Nice one Loco.
LA Sports is what keep me off the streets and out of trouble, thanks to all the teams Rams, Dodgers, Lakers, USC sports and the Love of Tennis.
by so.cal.native1952 on Feb 15, 2010 6:42 PM PST up reply actions
I guess you haven't looked at our class coming in and the PG transfer we already have, the team will be better than this years.
What do you get a center that goes 6-10 and 355 with about a 8-12 inch Vert. Wow look out the Ruins are back.SIGNED LETTER OF INTENT Pos Stars Ht Wt RR Video Hometown
Garrett Jackson SF 6-6 195 – Portland, OR
Bryce Jones SG 6-4 175 – Woodland Hills, CA
Maurice Jones PG 5-7 150 – Saginaw, MI
Curtis Washington C 6-9 200 – Elizabethtown, KY
2011
COMMITTED/NOT YET SIGNED Pos Stars Ht Wt RR Video Hometown
DeWayne Dedmon C 6-11 230 – Lancaster, CA
Byron Wesley SF 6-5 190 – Etiwanda, CA
Gelawn Wheelwright SG 6-1 165 – Corona, CA
LA Sports is what keep me off the streets and out of trouble, thanks to all the teams Rams, Dodgers, Lakers, USC sports and the Love of Tennis.
by so.cal.native1952 on Feb 15, 2010 6:37 PM PST up reply actions
+1
--Conquest Chronicles, SBNation's USC Trojans blog
by Joey Kaufman on Feb 15, 2010 6:51 PM PST up reply actions
I have to agree with SBM
The gaps are huge. ucla will never match USC in football. USC will never match what ucla did in basketball. In the short term there may be flucutations, but until we win a championship, let alone get to a final four, there isn’t any closed gap as far as I’m concerned.
I agree with that, but I still feel Ucla is paying that back dues and it is Finally USCs turn.
But the only thing I worry about is the AD medalling in the BB team, I mean if he didn’t mess with it we would have been in a final 4 by now.
LA Sports is what keep me off the streets and out of trouble, thanks to all the teams Rams, Dodgers, Lakers, USC sports and the Love of Tennis.
by so.cal.native1952 on Feb 15, 2010 7:32 PM PST up reply actions
You're right
but we really have to be consistent. I know you have seen USC have some good seasons, but stringing a bunch of 20+ win seasons together is the real battle.
1 in a row doesn’t mean everything has changed.
7 in a row, 3 heismans, 2 national championships… now that changes a whole lot.
Well i have been really involved in being a fan of BB since Don Carfino ( a friend of mine) played.
Most of the Cerritos BB team and friends went to USC home games in 77, we all hated wooden and ruins.
LA Sports is what keep me off the streets and out of trouble, thanks to all the teams Rams, Dodgers, Lakers, USC sports and the Love of Tennis.
by so.cal.native1952 on Feb 15, 2010 7:58 PM PST up reply actions
Agree with you 100% Paragon SC
by Dodgermanramon on Feb 15, 2010 6:29 PM PST via mobile reply actions
SuperBruinMan is funny.
He used to clutter the USC Scout Board…but now that the bRuins are in ruins, he is MIA.
Gap – noun
1. a break or opening, as in a fence, wall, or military line; breach: We found a gap in the enemy’s line of fortifications.
2. an empty space or interval; interruption in continuity; hiatus: a momentary gap in a siren’s wailing; a gap in his memory.
LOL
You keeping begging me to come back there. Haven’t you noticed that nobody posts there at all, or are you too delusional? Every time I’ve looked in there this season, 90% of the posts have been by an Arizona troll that’s been banned by every other site on the network. I guess you’ll take anyone that’ll give your site a few hits.
by SuperBruinMan on Feb 16, 2010 5:23 PM PST up reply actions
There is no gap
For the love of god, let’s quit pandering to the Baby Bears of the 1960s. U¢LA has won ONE hoops championship in the last 35 SEASONS! Can we please quit living in the past and take a look at the results for the current generation.
USC vs U¢LA is 9-9 since 2002. I don’t have time to research further, but believe the record remains close to even back into the 90s. USC has won THREE in a row. USC swept U¢LA in 2003, 2004, and 2010. USC is the defending Pac Life champion. If Mike Garrett were competent, USC would be making 4 straight NCAA tourney appearances. There currently is NO GAP in hoops.
I do agree that USC’s next step is to close the gap of perception across the rest of the nation. To do that USC must become a consistent sweet 16/elite 8, top 15 team. Tim Floyd had us on track, but Mike Garrett imploded the program and set us back 3 years. KO will get us to this level in a few years with certainty. We have the best school, the best facilities, and the best coach in LA. Again, there is NO GAP!
KO owns LA.
by DFWTrojan on Feb 16, 2010 12:22 PM PST reply actions 2 recs
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