Game of the Year? All eyes on L.A.

It’s the most wonderful month of the year.

Here at Hoops HQ, March is our time. We've got so much in store for you from now until the nets are cut down on April 7. Bracketology and Bubble Watch are being updated multiple times a week. Our Best Bets column is running daily. I'm currently fielding your questions for our first-ever Reader Mailbag — click here to ask me anything about the Tournament or hoops in general.

Once the NCAA Tournament begins, we'll be hosting livestreams and live blogs. Our team will be spread across the country, reporting from various sites. You'll get my bracket picks and those of our expert staff and contributors and perhaps from a few celebrity guests, too. We'll preview — and have betting tips — for every single game.

To enjoy it all, you have to be a paid subscriber. And to further entice you to join our team, we're offering 68 percent off of an annual subscription. It's only $19.19/year, or just 37 cents a month.

Today is a great day to be a Hoops HQ subscriber, because the weekend is jam-packed with action, including a titanic women’s clash later today between USC and UCLA. And there’s only one person on the planet who could properly hype us up: Amir Khan, the McNeese student manager who went viral for rapping before a recent Cowboys game. While most other media sources simply forwarded the video, our own Alex Squadron interviewed Amir length and spoke with him not only about that moment but about what it means to be a student manager. The video of Alex’s interview has already garnered over a million views on TikTok and his story is well worth your time.

So lace ’em up tight, everyone, because from here on out the action is going to come fast and furious. Thank you as always for your support of Hoops HQ. — Seth

The Battle of L.A., Part Two

By Eden Laase

Los Angeles supremacy, the Big Ten title, NCAA seeding, maybe the top spot in the Player of the Year race: That’s what’s on the line tonight for No. 2 UCLA and No. 4 USC.

The Bruins are looking to avenge their only loss of the season, which came two weeks ago, while USC wants to sweep the series against their crosstown rival. The winner finishes first in the Big Ten and picks up some serious momentum heading into the conference tournament, while also bolstering its case for a No. 1 seed in the NCAA Tournament.

Then, there is the battle between two of the country’s most exhilarating stars: the smooth scoring of USC 6-foot-2 sophomore guard JuJu Watkins and the efficient execution of UCLA 6-foot-7 junior center Lauren Betts. Winning Saturday could lead to another win — in the POY race down the line.

And if all of that isn’t enough, there’s the city both call home. Los Angeles has suddenly...

No. 4 USC @ No. 2 UCLA: Time to add another chapter to the battle for Los Angeles! Two weeks ago, the Trojans handed the Bruins their first and only loss of the season, 71-60, in front of a star-studded crowd at the Galen Center. JuJu Watkins was sensational, finishing with 38 points, 11 rebounds, 5 assists and 8 blocks. Now Lauren Betts and co. have a chance to get revenge at Pauley Pavilion. You don't want to miss this one. 9 p.m. ET on FOX.