WOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!

USC 72, UCLA 63!!!!!!

I OWN MIKE TRAN!!!!!

WOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!

I look forward to learning about Mike's man-crush on O.J. Mayo.

Comments

[Andrew]

You should get double points for this one, since it was in Pauley Pavilion.

Kevin Love is a beast and is probably the freshman of the year anywhere in the country, but today, Mike Tran's man-crush should be on USC freshman Davon Jefferson, who had 25 points and 9 rebounds to lead the Trojans in both categories. He was a stud on the offensive end.

Also, UNC goes down and ATM will follow.

[Andrew]

I have to say, the most surprising thing about this game to me was just how reliant fUCLA's offense was on their three-point shooting. You'd think from the box score that they were going inside to Love quite a bit, but most of Love's points came off of offensive rebounds; fUCLA had trouble making him a key part of their offensive sets. Shipp was a solid 5 of 10 from beyond the arc but nobody else on the 'ruins roster could manage more than one trey.

[Scientizzle]

Taj Gibson had a good defensive game against Love, too. Kevin Love is a top-10 pick in the draft...I'd pick him over Mayo without a second thought. Frankly, O.J. Mayo is looking right now like he could really benefit from a sophomore year.

[Becky]

Poor Mike. It's a shame that he looks so nice near cardinal and gold.

[David K.]

O.J. Mayo...whats his middle name, Ketchup or Apple Juice?

[Andrew]

Agreed, Mayo needs another year. Still, while he exhibits some Kobe-esque habits on offense (e.g., settling for poor shots just because he's talented enough to make them instead of running the offense to create the best possible scoring opportunity), I'm pleasantly surprised at how much of a team player he is, especially his defensive hussle. He's no selfish primadonna, as has been predicted by many in the media.

[Andrew]

Becky, no it isn't.

[gahrie]

I can't wait until Tuesday. Several of my students and one of my administrators are fans of Westwood High, and this is worth some serious bragging rights...defeating them in basketball at Pauley!

[Scientizzle]

I, too, have been pleasantly surprised by Mayo's commitment to defense and his rather unselfish play. I think early in today's game he wasn't doing enough himself to draw more defensive pressure and open up his teammates, but he's been pretty good at this in general and picked it up in the 2nd half today.

I look at the team now, and if nobody was to leave early (not likely), this squad plus the incoming freshmen could be potent...