UC Irvine vs. USC

When: Today, 12:30 p.m.

Where: USC’s Galen Center

Key Anteaters: Jr. F Chad DeCasas; Sr. F Kevin Bland; So. G Patrick Rembert.

Key Trojans: Jr. F Taj Gibson (10.8 points per game last season); Fr. F-G DeMar DeRozan.

Breakdown: The nonconference game is the regular-season opener for both teams ... UCI was 18-16 last season and reached the Big West Conference Tournament final ... Coach Pat Douglass’ ’Eaters trounced Division II Cal Poly Pomona, 69-42, in an exhibition game Saturday, shooting 51.1% from the field and 40.9% from three-point range ... DeCasas was seven of nine from the field, four of five from threedom for a game-high 18 against Cal Poly ... No. 18-ranked USC was 21-12 last season and lost in the first round of the NCAA Tournament ... De Rozen, a McDonald’s All-American at Compton High last year, led the Trojans with 21 points in their 85-64 win over NAIA Azusa Pacific on Nov. 3. Gibson had 19 points and 14 rebounds ... UCI has beaten USC once (1983) in five previous meetings.

— Barry Faulkner