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Can USC Trojans Outmaneuver UCLA Bruins at MGM Grand Garden Arena?

As the USC Trojans prepare to face off against the UCLA Bruins, fans are eager to see if their team can continue their winning momentum. The upcoming game is set to take place at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, a neutral site that promises an electric atmosphere for both teams.


Jan 14, 2024; Los Angeles, California, USA; UCLA Bruins center Lauren Betts (51), USC Trojans center Clarice Akunwafo (34) and guard JuJu Watkins (12) go for a rebound in the first half at Galen Center. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports

The Trojans are coming off a nail-biting victory against the Arizona Wildcats in the Pac-12 Quarterfinal 3. Despite a tough start where they trailed by 9 points after the first quarter, they managed to turn things around with a strong second half. Their resilience was on full display as they outscored their opponents in both third and fourth quarters, ultimately securing a win with 65 points over Arizona's 62.


Analyzing their performance reveals some key strengths and areas of concern. The Trojans showcased an impressive two-point shooting percentage of 55 percent and were slightly more accurate from beyond the arc than their opponents, hitting 32 percent of three-point attempts compared to Arizona's 20 percent. However, ball security appears to be an issue as they turned over possession twenty-one times during the game.


Jan 14, 2024; Los Angeles, California, USA; UCLA Bruins forward Angela Dugalic (32) shoots over USC Trojans guard McKenzie Forbes (25) in the first half at Galen Center. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports

Defensively, USC demonstrated solid capabilities with five blocks and four steals but will need to maintain tight defense against UCLA's offensive threats. Rebounding was another strong suit for USC as they collected thirty-five rebounds including twenty-eight defensive boards which helped limit second-chance points for Arizona.


As we look ahead to this matchup against UCLA Bruins, it is crucial for USC Trojans fans to watch how well their team can control turnovers and capitalize on scoring opportunities inside the paint while maintaining defensive pressure throughout all four quarters.


Jan 14, 2024; Los Angeles, California, USA; UCLA Bruins guard Kiki Rice (1) reaches to defend a shot by USC Trojans center Clarice Akunwafo (34) in the second half at Galen Center. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports

The highly anticipated game is scheduled for March 9th at MGM Grand Garden Arena and will be broadcasted live on Pac-12 Network at 03:30 AM UTC (March 8th at 7:30 PM Pacific Time). Fans should not miss this opportunity to support their team in what promises to be an intense battle on court.

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