USC has beaten Cal 11 straight times, but I like the improving Golden Bears to end the skid Wednesday. The Trojans have dropped five straight road games while Cal comes in having won three of four overall. Mark Madsen's team has the crowds coming back to Haas Pavilion. Led by Jaylon Tyson and Fardaws Aimaq, who both rank in the Pac-12's top 15 in scoring and rebounding, Cal should break through and continue what has been a down season for USC.

One win over Oregon State doesn't mean all is well again with USC. Remember, six straight losses preceded the blowout of the Beavers, and some of the same issues still need to be addressed, especially the bigs being unable to catch the ball, defenders running at Boogie Ellis, and Bronny James unable to create off of the dribble. (Boogie, by the way, and his 17.3 ppg has been held to single-digit scoring in two of the last three games.) Cal began its upswing a few weeks earlier, and has now won three straight at home, plus off of an impressive 81-66 cruise at ASU last weekend, behind 20 points from C Fardaws Aimaq and 19 more from G Jalen Cone. Play Cal