LAst Night's Action: UCLA, USC Crush the Arizonas
USC head coach Tim Floyd prowls the sidelines as USC upsets #15(Coach)/#16(AP) Arizona State. AP Photo/Jeff Lewis
USC Trojans defeat #15(Coach)/#16(AP) Arizona State Sun Devils 61-49. Defense wins games, and that was more than evident in this game. USC's Daniel Hackett held ASU standout James Harden to only four points scored on free throws, much lower than his 23.1 points per game average. Harden missed all eight field goal attempts. USC started slow scoring only 19 points in the first half, but they made up for it in the second half with 42 points.
#7(Coach)/#9(AP) UCLA Bruins defeat Arizona Wildcats 83-60. I said this game would be a snoozer, and it was. Although I did see a couple of fastbreak points by the Bruins. Five Bruins scored in double-digits, and the Bruins' suffocating defense kept the Wildcats tame.
Detroit Red Wings defeat LA Kings 4-0. At least the Kings didn't give up a lead after two periods. The Kings have now lost three straight games in regulation, all of which they trailed 3-0.
Notable Notes
- The fallout of USC quarterback Mark Sanchez's decision to head to the NFL have been talked about all day. A lot has been made about head coach Pete Carroll's reaction to the news at the press conference. Carroll went on the Petros and Money show on AM 570 KLAC this afternoon to give his side of the story.
- While it comes as no surprise, it doesn't do anything to temper the pure jubilee for Dodger fans. The Dodgers cut Andruw Jones. The former Brave and current beached manatee, albeit a rich manatee, will be free to go wherever he wants. I'm sure there are a couple of buffets in the country he hasn't terrorized yet.
- In this weekend's AFC and NFC championship games, the Baltimore Ravens will defeat the Pittsburgh Steelers 21-17 and the Arizona Cardinals will defeat the Philadelphia Eagles 31-19.
Tonight's Action
Orlando Magic at LA Lakers. 7:30 pm FS-West, AM 570 KLAC.
Anaheim Ducks at Pittsburgh Penguins. 4:30 pm FS-Prime Ticket, AM 830 KLAA.