USC Basketball: Northern Arizona Preview – Tip Off, Lineups, and Live Stream

Nov 11, 2013; Lubbock, TX, USA; Northern Arizona Lumberjacks forward guard Christopher Miller (3) shoots over the Texas Tech Red Raiders defense in the first half at United Spirit Arena. Mandatory Credit: Michael C. Johnson-USA TODAY Sports

Northern Arizona Lumberjacks vs. USC Trojans

Galen Center | Los Angeles, California

8:00 pm | Pac-12 Network

All-Time Series: 2-0

Last Meeting: USC 60, NAU 52 on December 11, 2010

The USC Trojans got their first win of the season at home against CSUN Tuesday and they’ll be looking for win number two against the Northern Arizona Lumberjacks tonight at the Galen Center.

The Lumberjacks feature just four returning on their 15-man roster, including a single senior. Last season they finished sixth in the Big Sky conference with a 11-21 record. This year they’re hoping newcomers, who accounted for 68.3% of their points scored in the first two games, will spark improvement in head coach Jack Murphy’s second year at the helm.

Max Jacobson, the previously mentioned senior, has stepped up in his role as the veteran leader of the team by leading all scorers with an average of 16. He’s also the leading rebounder and the tallest starter at 6-8, which should have the 7-2 Omar Oraby licking his chops.

In fact, the tallest player on the Northern Arizona roster is redshirt junior transfer Len Springs, who is one of two centers on the team and stands all of 6-10. He, however, has averaged just one point and 1.5 rebounds in two games.

At guard, neither Aaseem Dixon and Quinton Upshur, both junior transfers, suited up for the Lumberjacks last season, but they’re both having an impact now. Averaging 14 and 14.5 points respectively, they’re Northern Arizona’s fourth and third leading scorers. Upshur is shooting 35.7% from three-point range.

For the Trojans, the emphasis will continue to be on Oraby. He leads USC in scoring at 16 points a game and his height will be a clear advantage in this match up.

Byron Wesley, who has been a stand out performer in the two early games this season, should also be a factor. His rebounds are tops among all Trojans and he trails only freshman Julian Jacobs in assists per game.

This is also a game for J.T. Terrell to get back on track. After being left out of the starting lineup against CSUN due to academic concerns, Terrell had a scoreless first half before getting into the game with two second half three pointers.

Projected Starting Lineups:

Nov 12, 2013; Los Angeles, CA, USA; USC Trojans center Omar Oraby (55) dunks in front of Cal State Northridge Matadors guard Ben Vozzola (11) in the second half at The Galen Center. Trojans won 95-79. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports

Northern Arizona:

G #1 Aaseem Dixon 6-0 185 Jr.-TRG #2 Quinton Upshur 6-5 207 Jr.-TRF #32 Gaellan Bewernick 6-6 215 RS-Jr.F #33 Max Jacobsen 6-8 230 Sr.F #34 Jordyn Martin 6-7 210 

USC:

G #10 Pe’Shon Howard 6-3 190 Sr.G #20 J.T. Terrell 6-3 185 Sr.G #22 Byron Wesley 6-5 210 Jr.F #14 Strahinja Gavrilovic 6-9 225 So.C #55 Omar Oraby 7-2 270 Sr.

Channel Listings:

DirecTV: —Verizon FiOS: —Google Fiber: —Dish: Channel 413 SD/HDAT&T U-Verse: Channel 759 SD, 1759 HDTime Warner Cable: Click here for your local guide.

Live Stream: Pac-12 Network Stream

Odds:

According to VegasInsider.com, the Trojans are favored by 16 points over the Lumberjacks.