Bodog Beat

Derrick Low and the Cougars rolled at USC. (AP Images)

The national spotlight has yet to fully shine on the Washington State Cougars. If they complete a sweep in the land of lights, camera and action this week that’s going to change.

The No. 4 Cougars routed the unranked but favored USC Trojans 73-58 Thursday night in Los Angeles as Davin Harmeling scored 19 points and Aron Baynes added 18 and nine boards. Washington State will face No. 5 UCLA at Pauley Pavilion on Saturday in a matchup that won’t receive nearly as much attention as it deserves because of the NFL playoffs.

The Cougars are 14-0 and off to their best start in 91 years. They’re led by one of the best point guards in the game in Derrick Low, who had 10 points and five assists against the Trojans.

Washington State will need an encore performance Saturday because it’s 1-49 in its last 50 games on the road at UCLA.

Freshman star O.J. Mayo led USC with 22 points. The Trojans were favored by 1.5 against the point spread.

In other notable top 25 action on Thursday:

No. 5 UCLA 69, Washington 55: Russell Westbrook scord 18 points for the Bruins, who were favored by 15 at home.

No. 14 Butler 74, Wisconsin-Green Bay 65: Freshman Matt Howard scored 22 points for the torrid Bulldogs. Butler was a 14.5-point favorite in Indianapolis.

For college basketball odds for Friday, visit the Bodog Sportsbook.