USC, UCLA Women (And Men) Excelling In Basketball

Don't look now but the USC and UCLA women's basketball teams are duplicating what the men's teams are doing. The UCLA men are 11-0 and ranked No. 2 in the nation and the USC men are 9-0 and ranked No. 24. The USC women are 7-1 and the No. 9 UCLA women are 8-1.

The UCLA women have a veteran team that can win games from the outside and inside. They are led by guards Kari Korver and Jordin Canada and forwards Monique Billings and Keli Hayes. Korver is an outstanding three point shooter and Canada plays a fast up tempo game driving to the basketball. Billings, who combines quickness and outstanding leaping ability, is one of the best forwards in the nation.

UCLA's next home games will be Friday, December 30 against Utah and Sunday, January 1 at 2 p.m. against Colorado. Both games will be played at Pauley Pavilion on the UCLA campus. The Bruins are coached by Cori Close.

The women of Troy are led by Kristen Simon, Minyon Moore, Sadie Edwards, Courtney Jaco and Jordan Adams. Simon is averaging 16.3 points per game and 10 rebounds. Moore averaging 13.1 points and 5.9 assists. Moore also has 21 steals so far this season. Edwards and Jaco are both averaging 9.8 points per game and Adams is close behind at 8.8 points per game.

The Trojans' next home games are Friday (today) and Sunday in the Women of Troy Classic at the Galen Center. Friday's game against Grambling State will start at 6 p.m. The other teams that are in the Classic are SMU and Mississippi State. SMU and Mississippi State play at 8 p.m. The final two games will be played on Sunday when the losers face each other at 11 a.m. and the winners play at 1 p.m. The Trojans are coached by Cynthia Cooper.