Preview: Crosstown Showdown in Big 10 Features USC and UCLA LOS ANGELES (Interstat) — The storied Los Angeles basketball rivalry adds a new chapter Tuesday night when Southern California visits UCLA in a pivotal Big 10 Conference matchup at Pauley Pavilion. Both teams enter with identical 18-9 overall records, adding high stakes to the crosstown clash. The contest is the first of two regular-season meetings between the programs, with a rematch set for March 7 at USC. The Trojans are looking to rebound from a heartbreaking 71-70 home loss to Oregon on Saturday. In that game, guard Chad Baker-Mazara led USC with 21 points. Baker-Mazara has been a key offensive threat, averaging 14.5 points over his last four contests. The Bruins are riding high after a dramatic 95-94 overtime victory over Illinois, also on Saturday. Point guard Donovan Dent was instrumental, dishing out 15 assists to go with 14 points. Dent has recorded a double-double in four of his last seven games, showcasing elite playmaking ability. UCLA has shown resilience at home in conference play, with notable wins over Purdue and Rutgers earlier this season. USC, however, has struggled recently on the road, dropping its last two away games at Ohio State and Iowa by a combined nine points. The game will feature a compelling backcourt duel between USC’s scoring-focused Baker-Mazara and UCLA’s floor-general Dent. Containing Dent’s distribution will be a primary focus for the Trojans’ defense. With both teams positioned similarly in the conference standings and seeking to bolster their postseason resumes, Tuesday’s showdown carries significant weight beyond local bragging rights. The atmosphere at Pauley Pavilion is expected to be charged for this late-season conference clash. Tip-off is scheduled for 8 p.m. PST.