USC Basketball: Bruins Star Freshman Not to be Suspended, Will Suit Up Against Trojans

USC will have to prepare to face this Bruin.

It's rivalry week for USC basketball as they get set to take on UCLA this Saturday for the second time this season. USC previously lost to UCLA 65-50 in late January. 

The Trojans got confirmation today that they will have to prepare to face UCLA freshman guard Sebastian Mack. Mack's status was up in the air for Saturday after he was ejected from the Bruins' previous game against Utah for committing a flagrant 2 foul. However, UCLA head coach Mick Cronin confirmed Thursday that Mack will not be suspended, via Ben Bolch.

After review, it was ruled a flagrant 2 and Sebastian Mack will be ejected from the game after this play pic.twitter.com/qul0x9eLji

— FOX College Hoops (@CBBonFOX) February 19, 2024

This means that USC will have another key Bruin to defend if they want to get revenge against UCLA. Mack leads UCLA in scoring, averaging 13.1 points, 3.6 rebounds and 1.5 assists per game.

However, Mack was not statistically effective the last time USC took on UCLA. He had just four points, one rebound, and one assist. Instead, the Bruins saw big games from Lazar Stefanovic, Adem Bona, and Dylan Andrews that propelled them over the Trojans.

In that game, Andrews led the Bruins in scoring with 20 points, two rebounds and four assists. Stefanovic followed with a near double-double, putting up 17 points, nine rebounds, and two assists. Bona completed the double-double, with 10 points, 10 rebounds, and two assists in that win. 

Meanwhile, USC only had one player hit double digits in any category, with Oziyah Sellers scoring 10 points. That will hopefully change now that the Trojans have Isaiah Collier back for this game. Collier has scored a minimum of 15 points in each of the four games he's played since returning from his injury. 

All in all, the Trojans will need another big game from Collier and focus on stopping the Bruins's top four playmakers to have their best shot at a rivalry win.