FACTS & STATS: Site: Coliseo De Puerto Rico (18,500) -- San Juan, Puerto Rico. Television: ESPNU. Home Record: Missouri 2-0, USC 2-0. Away Record: Missouri 0-0, USC 0-0. Neutral Record: Missouri 1-1, USC 1-1. Conference Record: Missouri 0-0, USC 0-0. Series Record: Series is tied, 5-5.

GAME NOTES: The fourth-place game of the Puerto Rico Tip-Off features a pair of 3-1 teams, as the USC Trojans meet the Missouri Tigers.

USC opened the season with back-to-back home victories, both by double figures, before heading to San Juan. The Trojans dropped a heart-breaking 63-61 decision to Seton Hall to open play at this event, but they bounced back strong with a 73-46 romp over Chattanooga on Friday. Clearly, a victory over a Big 12 opponent this afternoon could help the squad down the road.

Like USC, Missouri posted back-to-back home wins to open the season before traveling to Puerto Rico. The Tigers lost to Xavier by four points in their first game at this event, but they bounced back strong with a resounding 87-59 decision over Fairfield on Friday. Missouri was not a factor in the Big 12 last season, but this year's group figures to have a much better chance of competing.

The all-time series between the Trojans and Tigers is tied at 5-5, and Missouri won the most recent meeting in 2002.

Missouri is racking up 86.8 ppg while limiting opponents to 68.5 ppg. The Tigers have had their trouble at the foul line, as they are knocking down just 57 percent of their attempts from the charity stripe. Fortunately, they have been able to outrebound foes by nearly five boards per contest. Leo Lyons has cooled off a bit since scoring over 20 points in each of the first two games, but he is still averaging 18.3 ppg. DeMarre Carroll is close behind with 18.0 ppg, and Matt Lawrence is netting 10.5 ppg. The Tigers shot 50 percent from the field against Fairfield last time out and finished with 27 assists against only 11 turnovers. A 47-29 rebounding advantage also played a major role in the victory. Carroll paced his team with 15 points in the clash, and Lawrence contributed 14 points. Lyons added a double-double of 12 points and 10 rebounds.

USC has been outstanding at the defensive end through the first four games of the season, as the squad is limiting opponents to 56.0 ppg on 33.9 percent shooting from the floor. Offensively, the Trojans are netting 71.2 ppg despite 22.6 percent efficiency from three-point range. The top performer for USC thus far has been Taj Gibson, as the big man is posting 18.8 ppg to go along with 12.3 rpg and six blocks per contest. Dwight Lewis is the only other double- digit scorer on the roster, as he is posting 15.5 ppg. In the victory over Chattanooga last time out, four of the five starters for USC reached double figures offensively, and the lone exception was Leonard Washington, who tallied nine points and 12 rebounds. Gibson contributed 17 points, 15 rebounds and five blocks, while Lewis netted 16 points. Keep an eye on freshman DeMar DeRozan, one of the most highly regarded recruits in the nation.

None of Missouri's starters played more than 22 minutes against Fairfield. They will see plenty more action against USC, and while the Tigers figure to stay close, give Gibson and the Trojans the edge.

Predicted Outcome

USC 78, Missouri 72