Wednesday’s matchup between UCLA and USC will be the most significant basketball game the rivals have played in years.
USC is second in the Pac-12 standings. UCLA has three signature wins this season. Both defeated then-No. 7 Arizona last week. The game at Pauley Pavilion will alter the Pac-12 race and bestow bragging rights to one team’s fans.
One hitch: Neither team is ranked.
The Associated Press top 25 was released on Monday, and USC was the first team left out. UCLA was two spots behind.
It’s a significant improvement for the Trojans, who haven’t been ranked since Nov.