Mick Cronin and UCLA will travel to Southern Cal on Thursday for a 6 p.m. local time tipoff on ESPN2 after the Bruins prevailed 60-58 on Jan. 5.

The Bruins had their 14-game winning streak snapped on Saturday at Arizona, and Cronin understands the Bruins are in for a battle against the Trojans. In the first USC game, the Bruins blew an 18-point lead in the second half before they rallied for their 11th straight victory.

“Well it’s our first first repeat this year,” Cronin said, per 247Sports. “So whenever you’re playing repeats, obviously both teams are going to dissect the tape. What worked, what didn’t work, what adjustments, what their game plan was. They’re looking at ours. So, you know, we’re all doing that. Ultimately, though, these type of games come down to performance.”

Cronin sees the paint as a key area in this game.

“I say every time we play them, every time we play them. They defend the paint,” Cronin said. “Everybody’s got ways they play. Like Washington State defends the 3-point line. Teams that are high ball pressure teams that are out there tight on you, they’re going to defend the three point line. USC always defends the paint. Always, that’s just what they do and they’re good. That’s every time we come here in this press conference, I’ve told you that for four years. And they do a great job of it. It’s not just because of size either — it’s schematic.”