Leading up to this weekend's game between UCLA and USC, Bruins sophomore forward Reeves Nelson downplayed the rivalry.

“I think it’s more of a media thing and maybe an old-timer thing,” Reeves said. “I just want to beat every team we play regardless.”

USC has defeated UCLA in four straight games.

"If they were trying to send a message, the message was sent,” Bruins guard Jerime Anderson said after the 63-52 loss.

Trojans coach Kevin O'Neill is now 3-0 against the Bruins.

“It’s not just another game,” O’Neill said. “When you’ve beaten UCLA, you’ve beaten tradition.”