[81alum]

A big aspect of the game that can't be scouted is the refs.  Tight or loose?  Benefit to the home team or not?

Good point MT.  If both offenses were left free to roam and operate as they would like--meaning a closely called game that restrains both defenses--then I think we win easily.  Our offense flourishes with lots of movement and lots of assists.

If the refs "let both sides play" and call very few fouls then I think things become somewhat equalized.  That would play into USC's natural strength.  We can be strong and physical on defense too, but a sumo-wrestling or WWF style basketball game would neutralize our offensive strengths.

USC knows this so I imagine they will commit lots and lots of fouls, and just dare the refs to call them all.  Colorado has done that for years--overload the fouling so much that it tends to normalize itself as the game goes on.  Some of those games get to the point where one would think only an overhead body slam would get called.

[81alum]

A big aspect of the game that can't be scouted is the refs.  Tight or loose?  Benefit to the home team or not?

Good point MT.  If both offenses were left free to roam and operate as they would like--meaning a closely called game that restrains both defenses--then I think we win easily.  Our offense flourishes with lots of movement and lots of assists.

If the refs "let both sides play" and call very few fouls then I think things become somewhat equalized.  That would play into USC's natural strength.  We can be strong and physical on defense too, but a sumo-wrestling or WWF style basketball game would neutralize our offensive strengths.

USC knows this so I imagine they will commit lots and lots of fouls, and just dare the refs to call them all.  Colorado has done that for years--overload the fouling so much that it tends to normalize itself as the game goes on.  Some of those games get to the point where one would think only an overhead body slam would get called.