Opinion
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Maples Pavilion Showdown: University of Southern California Takes On Stanford

As the USC Trojans prepare to face off against the Stanford Cardinal at Maples Pavilion, fans are buzzing with anticipation for what promises to be a thrilling encounter in women's basketball. The Trojans have been on a remarkable run, showcasing their prowess on the court with an impressive display of skill and teamwork.


Feb 17, 2023; Stanford, California, USA;  Stanford Cardinal forward Cameron Brink (22) shoots over USC Trojans forward Koi Love (0) during the second half at Maples Pavilion. Mandatory Credit: John Hefti-USA TODAY Sports

In their last game on December 21st against Long Beach State, USC emerged victorious with an 85-77 scoreline. Their offense was firing on all cylinders as they managed to put up 22 fast break points and capitalized on turnovers, scoring 23 points off them. Despite shooting just 33 percent from the field and around 29 percent from beyond the arc, they made up for it at the free-throw line with nearly an 80 percent success rate.


The defensive end saw USC making significant contributions as well; they racked up a total of 14 steals and blocked five shots. This defensive tenacity will be crucial when they go head-to-head with Stanford.


Feb 17, 2023; Stanford, California, USA;  USC Trojans forward Kadi Sissoko (30) shoots over Stanford Cardinal center Lauren Betts (51) during the first half at Maples Pavilion. Mandatory Credit: John Hefti-USA TODAY Sports

Comparing this performance to their dominant win over Cal State Fullerton on December 19th where they scored a whopping 93 points while shooting an impressive 50 percent from the field and over half of their three-point attempts finding the net, it's clear that USC has multiple weapons in its arsenal.


Against UC Riverside earlier in December, USC showed that they could also dominate inside by scoring a massive number of points in paint (42) while maintaining high efficiency from two-point range (62 percent). Their ability to adapt and exploit different areas of their game is what makes them such a formidable opponent.


Feb 17, 2023; Stanford, California, USA;  Stanford Cardinal guard Haley Jones (30) shoots over USC Trojans guard Taylor Bigby (1) during the first half at Maples Pavilion. Mandatory Credit: John Hefti-USA TODAY Sports

Stanford Cardinal will certainly not make it easy for them though. As hosts, they will look to leverage home-court advantage and disrupt USC's rhythm. It is essential for USC to maintain focus and execute their game plan effectively if they wish to come out on top once again.


Looking ahead at this matchup, one can't help but feel optimistic about USC's chances given their recent form. However, basketball is unpredictable by nature; it would be unwise for anyone – players or fans alike – to underestimate Stanford’s potential threat.


The stage is set for February 3rd at Maples Pavilion where fans can witness these two titans clash at precisely ten o'clock PM Eastern Time (7 PM Pacific Time). For those unable to attend in person, unfortunately there are no broadcast networks listed but stay tuned for local listings as game day approaches.

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