Washington State (1-3, 10-5) at USC (2-2, 8-7)

Wednesday, January 10
7:30 pm PT, FS1

The Trojans get the lion’s share of their production from three guards and the shooting efficiency of those players tends to determine the team’s chances.

Boogie Ellis, Isaiah Collier, and Kobe Johnson are all capable players that could be described as high-volume shooters.

Each guard averages at least 10 shots per game, but only one (Collier) is shooting above 50 percent.

The reliance on the perimeter players makes the Cougars’ defensive game plan relatively straightforward. Kyle Smith’s team won’t be successful if they allow the USC guards to get open looks.

Executing switches through disciplined communication could be key along with clogging passing lanes and crashing the defensive glass.

The Trojans are not a particularly strong rebounding team but enter the game a respectable No. 145 nationally in offensive rebounds per game.

If the Cougs don’t control the defensive glass, the extra possessions provided to the Trojan guards might be too much to overcome.

On the other side of the court, Wazzu has to limit its turnovers and keep the pace slow. Smith’s team takes care of the ball well, coming into the matchup ranked No. 64 in turnovers per game.

Yet, Andy Enfield’s team tends to force mistakes and is No. 89 in turnovers forced per contest.

A slower pace favors WSU and could help limit turnovers that turn into buckets.

And whenever you face a guard-heavy team, your own backcourt’s shooting efficiency generally looms large. If the Cougar guards aren’t able to at least match the shooting numbers from the SC trio, it could be a long night.

Colorado (2-2, 11-4) at California (1-3, 5-10)

Wednesday, January 10
8:00 pm PT, ESPNU

Coming off a victory over UCLA, the momentum within the program is the highest that it’s been in years.

Mark Madsen’s group doesn’t share the ball as much as they should and they turn it over too often. But the team is a respectable rebounding unit and has capable individual players that can go off.

Four average in double-figures with guard Jaylon Tyson leading the way at 20.1 points per game. He is efficient, too, coming into the matchup shooting 50.2 percent despite taking 14.4 shots per game.

Those are scary efficient numbers that can’t be ignored.

Yet, it’s the efficiency of fellow guard Jalen Cone that could make the difference. Cone puts up 14.3 points per contest yet is only shooting 34.2 percent from the field on 12.7 attempts per game.

If Cone has an off night, it could be hard for Cal to beat the Buffs.

Colorado averages more points per game, shoots higher field goal and three-point percentages, and is a stronger free throw shooting team.

But CU turns the ball over far too often, entering the game at No. 307 in TOs per game.

That puts Tad Boyle’s team dead last in the Pac-12 and is a flaw that Madsen will try to exploit. If California can force mistakes that lead to transition points, the Bears might get the job done.

Slowing down KJ Simpson will be key, as well. The junior guard is dangerous when he gets going and has the green light to take as many shots as he wants.

It could turn into a duel between Simpson and Tyson that comes down to the final few possessions.

Dane Miller’s Game Picks

2023-24 Week 3 Pac-12 Games	Pick
Colorado at California Jan 10, 7:30 PM	USC
Washington State at USC Jan 10, 8:00 PM	Colorado
Overall Record	112-41-0 (73%)