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How to Watch: USC Trojans vs No. 11 Gonzaga Bulldogs

Erik-McKinneyby: Erik McKinney12/02/23ErikTMcKinney
Collier
USC Trojans forward Joshua Morgan (24), guard Isaiah Collier (1), forward Harrison Hornery (30), guard Oziyah Sellers (4) and forward DJ Rodman (10) huddle up in the second half against the UC Irvine Anteaters at Galen Center. (Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports)

The USC Trojans (5-2) will face the No. 11 Gonzaga Bulldogs (5-1) in the Legends of Basketball Las Vegas Invitational at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas tonight. The Trojans got back in the win column earlier this week against Eastern Washington. But the Bulldogs will be a different sort of challenge. This game could tell plenty about USC’s NCAA tournament hopes this season. Here’s the game notes and how to watch USC – Gonzaga.

Who’s Playing

USC Trojans vs Gonzaga Bulldogs

Current Records: USC 5-2, Gonzaga 5-1

How To Watch

Game Notes

(courtesy USC Athletics)

* The No. 11 Gonzaga Bulldogs (5-1) are coming off an 81-65 home win over CSU Bakersfield on Nov. 28 and have won three consecutive games since falling 73-63 to No. 1 Purdue on Nov. 20 at the Maui Invitational. Gonzaga has 5 players averaging in double figures, led by forward Anton Watson at 15.7 points per game. Gonzaga has outrebounded its opponents by 13.4 rebounds per game. USC is 2-1 all-time against the Bulldogs, falling in the last meeting in the Elite Eight of the 2021 NCAA Tournament, 85-66.

* USC has held 3 of its first 7 opponents to under 40 percent shooting, with an opponent high of 50.0 percent by Oklahoma on Nov. 24, just the third time in the last two seasons a team has made 50 percent or more of its shots against USC’s defense.   Through the first seven games this season, USC has held its opponents to 40.0 percent shooting.   USC held its opponents to a 39.3 shooting percentage last season, 8th in the country.  Over the last four seasons, USC’s defense held the opposition to 38.9 FG percentage, third in the country, tops among teams in the six basketball power conferences.  Also over the last four seasons, USC held the opposition to a 42.4 shooting percentage on two-point field goals, best in the country.

* USC guards Boogie Ellis (21.5), Isaiah Collier (17.7) and Kobe Johnson (14.2) are all averaging over 14.0 points per game.  They also are combining to average 9.7 rebounds, 9.1 assists and 4.6 steals in USC’s 7 games, despite Johnson missing two games and Ellis one.  USC is one of two Power 6 teams with 3 guards averaging at least 14.0 points through Nov. 29 (also Wake Forest).

* Ellis is averaging 21.5 points, 19th in the country this season.  He is tied for fourth in the country with 4.0 makes from three-point range per game, netting a career-high 8 vs. Eastern Washington on Nov. 29.  The 8 three-pointers made tied him for fourth on the Trojans’ all-time list for three-pointers made in a game. He has made 24 of 50 three-point shots this season (48.0 percent). Ellis has made 163 three-point baskets as a Trojan, tied for 11th on USC’s all-time three-point baskets made list, 8 behind David Bluthenthal (1999-02) who is 10th on the list and made 171 in his USC career.

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Garry Paskwietz (1966-2019)

Garry Paskwietz was a pioneer in bringing team-specific sports coverage to the internet. He founded WeAreSC in 1998 and was an Emmy winner for his work with Fox Sports West. Always generous with his time, knowledge, and compassion, he touched the lives of countless USC and high school football fans.

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