The Trojans enter tonight's contest riding a six-game winning streak. USC has been led by senior point-guard Mike Gerrity. The Yorba Linda native has been averaging more than 15 points per game since joining the team on December 19th. Gerrity missed the first eight games of the season due to NCAA transfer rules.
The Trojans have also since welcomed back Leonard Washington to the line-up. Washington was ineligible for the first semester, but he has made an immediate impact for USC, helping to lead them to the inaugural Diamond Head Classic Championship in Honolulu, Hawaii over the Christmas Holiday.Washington brings a tenacious tenacity to go along with with a 6-7, 230 pound frame that is an instant mismatch.
The Wildcats are 6-6 on the season and enter tonight's Pac-10 opener coming off of a 30 point loss to BYU, 66-99, on December 28th. Senior guard Nic Wise leads Arizona averaging more than 16 points per game to go along with an average of four assists. The Wildcats also feature three freshmen on their roster that originally committed to USC, but at the last minute backed out and signed with Arizona: Solomon Hill, Derrick Williams and Lamont "MoMo" Jones. The freshmen trio combine for more than 25 points per game in just their first year in Tuscon.
Adding to tonight's festivities is the relationship USC Head Coach Kevin O'Neill has with the Arizona program. O'Neill took over for Lute Olsen in 2008 and led the Wildcats to an NCAA tournament birth. O'Neill is 1-1 against his former schools, after blowing out Tennessee 77-55 at the Galen Center on December 19th.
Stay tuned for tip off at 4:00 PM PST. The game will air on FSN West and FS Arizona, with former Trojan point-guard Brandon Granville calling the game. Be sure to check in after the game for a full recap and insider photos.
