Covers.com Preview of ASU at USC -6; O/U = 153.5.

[DiehardDave37]

USC, a perfect 9-0 at home this season, can match its best home start since 2001 when its hosts Arizona State in Pac-12 Conference play on Thursday night at the Galen Center. Both the Trojans, who lost 87-85 at Washington on Sunday, and the Sun Devils, who fell 92-84 at home to in-state rival Arizona, will be trying to bounce back from tough conference losses. (I must be having a senior moment. I thought we beat the Devils by 6 in each half for a total of 12.)

USC blew a 22-point second-half lead in their setback to the Huskies, crumbling against Washington's pressure defense after starting point guard Julian Jacobs went down with 16 minutes remaining with a sprained left ankle. "After Julian Jacobs was injured, we had trouble with their pressure, with their full-court press," USC coach Andy Enfield said. "They sped the game up and that's fine when we have Julian in the game, because that's how he likes to play. When he was playing, we were controlling the tempo." Arizona State's Territorial Cup loss to sixth-ranked Arizona on Sunday drew national attention when head coach Bobby Hurley was ejected for the first time in his coaching career after picking two technical fouls in the final 74 seconds. "We appreciate him fighting for us," senior guard Gerry Blakes said.

TV: 10:30 p.m. ET, Pac-12 Network

ABOUT ARIZONA STATE (10-4, 0-1 Pac-12): The Sun Devils had a four-game winning streak, which included an impressive come-from-behind 66-56 road win at UNLV, snapped with the loss to the Wildcats. Sophomore point guard Tra Holder is having a breakout season, leading the team in scoring (15.2) and assists (3.4) including a game-high 24 points and four assists in the loss to Arizona. Blakes (11.9), junior forward Savon Goodman (11.4) and senior forward Willie Atwood (10.6) also are averaging in double figures with Goodman grabbing a team best 7.5 rebounds per game.

ABOUT USC (12-3, 1-1): Jacobs, who re-injured his left ankle when he came down with a rebound and landed on another player's foot, is listed as a probable starter by the Trojans but has missed three previous games with soreness in the same ankle. He is one of six Trojans averaging in double figures (12.3) and also leads the Pac-12 in assists (5.3). Junior guard Katin Reinhardt (13.3), sophomore guard Jordan McLaughlin (13.0), junior forward Nikola Jovanovic (12.5), freshman forward Bennie Boatwright (11.9) and sophomore guard Elijah Stewart (10.1) also are averaging in double figures with the 6-11 Jovanovic also pulling down a team best 7.9 rebounds per game.

TIP-INS

1. McLaughlin ranks second in the Pac-12 in assists (5.2) and fourth in 3-point shooting percentage (46.4).

2. Holder is averaging 20.2 points over the last five games.

3. USC has blocked 96 shots, which is tied for second among Division I teams through Monday.

PREDICTION: USC 88, Arizona State 79