USC, entering rivalry matchup with UCLA, can’t afford another slip-up

Crosstown rivals riding opposite trajectories clash on Tuesday in Los Angeles when UCLA hosts Southern California.

The Bruins (18-9, 10-6 Big Ten) come into this season's first matchup with the Trojans off of their biggest win of the campaign. Donovan Dent's last-second overtime layup capped his 14-point, 15-assist effort in UCLA's 95-94 defeat of then-No. 10 Illinois on Saturday.

The come-from-behind win, which saw the Bruins battle back from a seven-point halftime deficit, marked...