Stanford @ Southern California preview

Last Meeting ( Feb 13, 2019 ) Southern California 76, Stanford 79

Picked to finish 10th in the Pac-12 preseason poll, No. 25 Stanford has emerged as one of the nation’s most surprising teams. Off to a 4-0 start for the first time since 2003-04, the Cardinal enter Saturday’s matchup against host USC as the only undefeated team in league play.

Reigning Pac-12 freshman of the week Tyrell Terry scored a career-high 24 points in Wednesday’s 74-59 victory over UCLA as Stanford recorded its first victory at Pauley Pavilion since 2005 and made a strong impression on Bruins coach Mick Cronin. “They’re clearly a better basketball team than we are,” Cronin told reporters, “which should prove that recruiting and rankings are about as important as what’s in your garbage can.” Forward Oscar da Silva averages 15.9 points and 5.5 rebounds per outing to lead the Cardinal, who pace the conference in scoring defense at 58.4 points per game. Stanford figures to be tested by surging USC, which has won eight of its last nine games and boasts a formidable frontline led by star freshman Onyeka Okongwu and senior forward Nick Rakocevic.

TV: 6:30 p.m. ET. TV: Pac-12 Network

ABOUT STANFORD (15-2, 4-0 Pac-12): Freshman forward Spencer Jones made four 3-pointers and finished with 14 points against UCLA, but da Silva was held to six points in 18 minutes while battling foul trouble. The Cardinal boast a deep lineup with nine players averaging at least 11 minutes per game – including Terry, who is averaging 15.8 points, 5.4 rebounds and 3.4 assists while shooting 47.5 percent from the field and 42.9 percent from 3-point range. Terry has scored in double figures in 15 games for the Cardinal, who have won four in a row and eight of their last nine.

ABOUT USC (14-3, 3-1): The Trojans recorded their largest margin of victory in a Pac-12 game since 2007 in Thursday’s 88-56 win over California behind a strong outing from grad transfer Daniel Utomi, who recorded 17 points and seven rebounds. The 6-6 guard moved into the starting lineup two games ago and could remain there next to senior guard Jonah Mathews, who ranks second on the team in scoring (12.4) and broke out of a shooting slump with 19 points against Cal. Okongwu averages 16.6 points and 8.7 rebounds but scored a total of 16 points in his last two games.

BUZZER BEATERS

1. Stanford has won seven of the last 10 meetings against USC.

2. Seven of the last 12 games between the teams have been decided by five points or fewer or in overtime.

3. Stanford junior Daejon Davis has averaged 9.7 points in three career games against USC.

PREDICTION: USC 69, Stanford 65