GAME NOTES: The sixth-ranked UCLA Bruins invade the Galen Center tonight to do battle with crosstown rival USC in Pac-10 action. UCLA has been idle since last Sunday when it dropped a surprising 71-61 decision to Washington on the road. That setback halted a five-game win streak for the Bruins, who are now 9-2 in conference. As for USC, it hasn't played since February 9th when it fell to Washington State in an ugly 74-50 decision. That loss halted a two-game win streak for the Trojans, who are 15-8 overall and 6-5 in conference. USC beat UCLA on the road by a 72-63 final back on January 19th, but the Bruins still own a 124-100 lead in the series.

UCLA's Kevin Love is part of arguably the best freshman class in the history of college basketball. Love is scoring 17.5 ppg on 60.8 percent shooting from the floor, and he is pulling down 11.0 rpg. Josh Shipp is contributing 14.3 ppg, and Darren Collison checks in with 13.9 ppg. The fourth and final double-digit scorer on the roster is Russell Westbrook, who is generating 12.3 ppg while dishing out 4.8 apg. The Bruins are scoring 74.8 ppg and limiting opponents to 58.5 ppg. In the loss to Washington last Sunday, however, UCLA connected on a mere 34.4 percent of its field goal attempts, including a 1-of-16 effort from three-point range. The club also finished with nine assists against 16 turnovers and suffered a 44-36 rebounding disadvantage. Shipp scored 19 points to lead the way in defeat, and Westbrook totaled 18 points. As for Love, he tallied 13 points, 10 rebounds and four blocked shots.

USC has a tremendous freshman on its roster as well, as O.J. Mayo is scoring 20.2 ppg. While he is immensely talented, Mayo has turned the ball over 85 times and would likely benefit from at least one more season at the collegiate level. Davon Jefferson is posting 13.1 ppg, and Dwight Lewis is netting 10.7 ppg. As for Taj Gibson, he checks in with 10.0 ppg, 7.8 rpg and 53 blocked shots. Overall this season, the Trojans are scoring 68.8 ppg while limiting the opposition to 62.4 ppg. In the loss to Washington State last weekend, Mayo scored 14 points while Jefferson tallied 13. USC only had six assists in the clash and finished 3-of-8 from the foul line. It also didn't help matters that the club permitted the Cougars to shoot 59.6 percent from the floor.

UCLA is the choice in this one, as it will get its revenge against USC for the earlier loss. Still, expect the contest to be close.