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Let's make a short leap and http://www.dailynews.com/sports/20160309/uclas-latest-loss-to-usc-is-its-most-embarrassing-yet";>assume UCLA wasn't playing all that hard Wednesday night. What USC did in a 95-71 win over the crosstown rival was still pretty alarming.

Plus-22 on the boards. Hit 11 for 23 from 3-point range (starting 10 for 18). Six guys in double figures.

In coach Andy Enfield's own words, USC hasn't "been a great team the entire season," but they're plenty capable of putting up a lot points in a hurry, and their big men have some bounce. Their 3-point shooting and transition offense makes them a tough match-up, and Utah — despite the fact that they beat the Trojans 80-69 in the first game — will have to bring a tip-top effort to knock off the Trojans for a sixth straight time under Larry Krystkowiak.

Here's your tournament-edition preview …

Time, Place and [radio waves in] Space • Set your alarm for 7:10 p.m. MST, as the Utes and Trojans tip off at the MGM Garden Arena in Las Vegas. The Pac-12 says tickets are sold out, but don't underestimate the availability of scalping opportunities if you're in town. If you're not in Sin City, you can tune in on Pac-12 Networks http://bit.ly/1XbpGFF";>(hopefully you get the national network or Pac-12 Mountain) and on the radio at ESPN 700 AM.

Pregame Quotable • Andy Enfield, being extra gracious to Jakob Poeltl: "http://bit.ly/1R1dGSo";>They have the Player of the Year. He presents difficulty for us because he can score the ball in the low post, he's an excellent passer, and a very smart player. In fact, I think he had 29 [points] and 13 [rebounds] at home [at USC]."

Last Time Out • Enfield's memory doesn't fail him http://bit.ly/1SMfk0r";>about Utah's 80-69 win. http://bit.ly/1TCmHrp";>Poeltl went on to win Pac-12 player of the week when Utah broke USC's 15-0 home winning streak and had 29 points and 13 rebounds while shooting 11 for 13. Utah led by double digits most of the way as Poeltl was unstoppable and USC's own bigs ran into some problems themselves. While Jordan McLaughlin had 20 points and Julian Jacobs and Bennie Boatwright each had 17, no one else on the Trojans roster scored more than 5. Jordan Loveridge chipped in 13 points, Brandon Taylor had a career-high 10 assists, and the Utes wrapped up an LA sweep.

Telling Stat • Utah is 5-0 versus Enfield at USC. The closest game was a 79-71 Utah win at the Galen Center. Utah's average margin of victory in those games is 17.8 points.

Trojans Roster Overview • One of the most eye-popping stats of the last match-up between these teams is USC's 3-point line: 10 for 18 in a loss, no less. These guys can shoot (38.2 percent, No. 34 nationally), and they showed it again with 11 threes against UCLA. Three of USC's top four scorers shoot 37.5 percent or better from 3-point range. The offensive balance is impressive: Jordan McLaughlin is the leader with 12.9 points, but down through Elijah Stewart, six Trojans average 10 or more points. McLaughlin and Katin Reinhardt do a lot of the damage from deep, Nikola Jovanovic can muscle inside, http://bit.ly/21gWiRi";>Julian Jacobs is a slasher with a great knack for passing, and Bennie Boatwright is a bouncy forward who can also step out to the 3-point line. Chemezie Metu is another name to watch: He's not a strong scorer, but he can dunk with the best in the league. USC can also hurt on the offensive glass, rebounding at a 32.6 percent clip according to KenPom.

Behind Enemy Lines •http://www.latimes.com/sports/ucla/la-sp-sn-usc-earns-third-straight-win-over-ucla-96-71-in-pac-12-tournament-20160309-story.html";> The L.A. Times' Zach Helfand vividly recounts the athletic flair the Trojans used to bump off UCLA for the third straight time on Wednesday night.

Something's Gotta Give • Tempo. http://kenpom.com/gameprep.php?g=5768";>USC's average possession length is 15.3 seconds for No. 17 in the country. Utah's is 18.2 seconds for No. 270 in the country. The Trojans thrive on quick offense, bringing speed and sharpshooting in transition. The Utes are capable of running the floor, but also thrive in sets when they can feed Poeltl the ball. The tempo of the game could help determine which team feels more comfortable on the neutral floor.

USC's Edge • It seems unlikely that Utah will be able to handle all of the Trojans' deep threats. Last time, they weren't able to. McLaughlin and Reinhardt are tremendous spot-up shooters, and Boatwright is definitely able to hit it from deep now and then. While Brandon Taylor may be an all-defensive team honoree, USC's drive and kick game with Jacobs leading many of the actions is tough for any one man to defend. While the Utes have improved dramatically on perimeter defense, they're still allowing over 36 percent on the year.

Utah's Edge • On the interior, the Utes have been among the nation's best, allowing only 43.2 percent shooting inside the arc. Jovanovic was shut down earlier this year, as was Metu. Boatwright gave Utah problems, but the Utes' zone held pretty tough inside with Poeltl anchoring. As long as Poeltl can keep himself on the floor, the Trojans may have to rely on outside shooting to keep its offense clicking.

Injury Watch • Neither team is believed to have any serious injuries to rotation players.

Watch Out For • Kyle Kuzma is looking to break a jinx: He hasn't scored in double figures since UCLA, and his current fun of 7 points or less per game started at the Galen Center. Utah's starting 4 is in a slump, and hasn't been rebounding well either. Brekkott Chapman has been playing better too, but the Utes could really roll if Kuzma figures out his shot and presents a secondary post threat alongside Poeltl.

kgoon@sltrib.com
Twitter: @kylegoon