The Trojans (5-1) finally return to the Galen Center to play just their second home game of the year when they host the Oklahoma Sooners (5-1) at 8:00p on Thursday night as part of the Big 12/Pac-10 Hardwood Series.

The matchup
Last year’s 16-15 Sooner squad was the first Oklahoma team to fail to reach the NCAA Tournament in 25 years. This year’s team–which returns three starters from 2006-07–is off to a quick 5-1 start, however, with their only loss coming at the hands of No. 3 Memphis (whom the Trojans also play next week). The Sooners combine a three-guard lineup with two very tall frontcourt players: 6′10″ freshman sensation Blake Griffin, who leads the team with 15.0 points and 9.2 rebounds per game, and 6′11″ senior Longar Longar, who adds a dozen points and 7.5 rebounds per game. This season, Oklahoma has shot the ball exceptionally well (with its four leading scorers combining to shoot better than 57% from the field) and has limited opponents to an average of 54 points a game–although it should be noted that they have yet to face any quality competition other than Memphis.

Re-entering the top 25 this week for the first time since the preseason, USC has won five consecutive games–including three in last week’s Anaheim Classic Tournament–since losing its opener to Mercer. Freshman OJ Mayo leads the Trojans with 21.8 points a game, and three other players (Taj Gibson, Daniel Hackett, and Dwight Lewis) are averaging double figures in points. Outside of Gibson, however, the Trojans have received inconsistent-to-poor play from their frontcourt, which makes the matchup against the Sooners especially problematic. Freshman forward Davon Jefferson did have a breakthrough in USC’s last game, with 20 points off the bench, and it is conceivable that he could get a start Thursday. But it is much more likely that the Trojans will try to bulk up with some combination of bigger forwards Kasey Cunningham, Keith Wilkinson, and/or RouSean Cromwell, until they find one or more who can be effective defensively against the Sooner big men. And don’t expect Gibson to start the game on the bench, as he did against Southern Illinois.

The two teams have not played since 1983, but will meet again next year in Oklahoma.

Injury report
Mayo has been hampered by a sore toe but should not be affected during the game. Guard Marcus Simmons (ankle) and forwards Mamadou Diarra (hernia) and Kyle Austin (back) will be unavailable for the Trojans, with Simmons probably the closest of the three to returning to action.

TV/radio
Thursday night’s game will be shown live regionally on FSN Prime Ticket. The game will also be broadcast live on 710 AM.

USC Returns Home To Face Oklahoma (Official USC site)
OU Meets No. 22 USC in Los Angeles (Official Oklahoma site)
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