USC faces tough road test against Utah on Saturday
The USC Trojans continue to do what they are supposed to do: Win games. On Thursday night, USC won against the Colorado Buffaloes on the road, and their NCAA Tournament hopes continue to look brighter with the regular season coming to an end.
The Trojans notched win No. 20 on Thursday night, and on Saturday they have another tough test with a road game against the Utah Utes. USC beat Utah 71-56 on January 14 in Los Angeles, and that was with Gabe Madsen in the lineup for the Utes.
Madsen later suffered an injury and has not returned to the court, and Utah has been reeling. Since January 28, Utah has gone just 2-5, and those two wins came against Cal and Colorado, two of the worst teams in the Pac-12.
Utah was on the bubble recently, but three straight losses entering Saturday’s game aren’t doing the Utes any favors whatsoever.
In the first meeting of the year between these teams, Boogie Ellis led the way with 17 points and Tre White stepped up with 13 points as Drew Peterson added 11 points and 6 rebounds.
Ellis has been hot lately since his 9-point performance against Oregon State and he has scored 20 or more in each of the last three games.
It was a refreshing night on Thursday for USC: Four of five starters had double figures and Reese Dixon-Waters added 15 off the bench. However, USC needs to find a way to limit Branden Carlson once again if they want to get a big bubble win on Saturday in Salt Lake City.
