No. 1 UCLA women’s basketball (23-0, 11-0 Big Ten) will face its long-time rival for the first of two matches this season. It will play No. 6 USC (21-2, 11-1), on Thursday night at the Galen Center, before returning to Pauley Pavilion later in the season to take on the Trojans again.

Personnel:

Coach: Lindsay Gottlieb
Bigs: Kiki Iriafen, JuJu Watkins
Guards: Kennedy Smith, Talia von Oelhoffen, Avery Howell
Best Player: Rayah Marshall
X-Factor: JuJu Watkins

Stat profile:

Points per game: 83.2
Field goal percentage: .454
Points allowed per game: 56.6
Steals Per Game: 11.5

Guards

Los Angeles has become the epicenter of women’s basketball.

With No. 1 UCLA and No. 6 USC fueling the fire, this Big Ten rivalry matchup could shake up the rankings of women’s basketball and foreshadow what is to come in March.

In their first season of the Big Ten, the Trojans have been nearly unstoppable. Recording only two losses this season, their aggressive play style can pose as big of a threat as an undefeated team. Even in its loss against Iowa, USC was able to rally 17-1 in the first quarter to lead at the half.

USC’s offense is built around depth and speed, relying heavily on pushing the ball in transition and scoring quickly.

Leading the charge is guard JuJu Watkins, the Trojans’ leading scorer this season. With 920 points last year, Watkins set the national record for scoring by a freshman. Her ability to attack the basket was on full display against Ohio State.

Watkins won’t be the Bruins’ only concern.

Kennedy Smith is another threat from USC. Averaging 10.2 points, 4.5 rebounds and 1.9 assists per game, the 6-foot-1 guard brings a strong all-around game to the Trojans’ backcourt.

Despite its defensive strengths, USC can struggle against teams with sharp perimeter shooting. Its 2-3 zone defense can leave opportunities for opponents to knock down 3-pointers, an area that UCLA has shown improvement in this season. If the Bruins can make the most of open shots from the outside, it could be a crucial advantage.

With junior guard Londynn Jones coming off a season-high performance against Oregon, the Bruins have an arsenal around the perimeter, including junior guard Kiki Rice, who recorded the first triple-double of her career last season.

Bigs

Like Watkins, 6-foot-3 forward Kiki Iriafen has been another consistent force for the Trojans this season. Her ability to dominate the paint and snag key rebounds makes her one of USC’s most reliable players.

With a season-high 30 points, Iriafen’s rebounding ability has been a key factor in dominating both ends of the court.

USC’s defense is a mix of full-court pressure and a 2-3 zone, designed to stifle opposing offenses and force turnovers. The Trojans are strong in the paint, with center/forward Rayah Marshall serving as a dominant force on the boards and in rim protection.

Marshall, who notched a season-high 15 rebounds and 15 points against Maryland and Cal Poly, respectively, has been a defensive anchor for USC. Her ability to protect the rim and contest shots makes her a key player for the Trojans.

While the Trojans roster maintains one of the best in the league, the absence of a player like UCLA’s Lauren Betts prevents it from reaching a new level. The junior center, standing at 6-foot-7, has been a powerhouse and a game changer for the Bruins.

UCLA’s juggernaut notched season-highs of 33 points and 14 rebounds against Maryland and Ohio State, respectively, showcasing her ability to score in the paint and jump over opponents to rebound shots.

In last year’s Pac-12 tournament, the Bruins fell to the Trojans with Marshall recording 11 rebounds. Even facing Marshall’s adversity, Betts found her way to the net and posted 17 points and 18 rebounds.

The Trojans have several players capable of scoring double digits, but they struggle with consistency from below the basket. With a .43 rebounding efficiency, lower than the Bruins, USC could lack its offensive flow when they face strong defensive teams like UCLA.