Gonzaga's Brian Michaelson on USC: 'I have a hard time believing we'll face a better backcourt this year'

A tough test awaits the No. 11 Gonzaga Bulldogs when they take on the USC Trojans, who boast one of the most dynamic backcourts in the country in Isaiah Collier and Boogie Ellis.

The pair of Wooden Award contenders account for 45.6% of USC's scoring output this season. Ellis, a 6-foot-3 fifth-year senior, paces the team with 21.5 points per game on 47.7% shooting from the floor, including 48% from 3-point range. The San Diego native is fresh off a 28-point outing against Eastern Washington.

Collier, the No. 1-ranked recruit in the 2023 class according to 247Sports, has lived up to the hype from the get-go. He's second on the team with 17.7 points per game, knocking down 53.9% of his field goal attempts. Many expect the 6-foot-5 freshman to be selected with a top-five pick in next summer's NBA Draft.

The Zags will also have their hands full with two-way wing Kobe Johnson, a 6-foot-6 junior who averages 14.2 points and 3.0 steals.

Gonzaga assistant coach Brian Michaelson broke down the matchup with USC with former All-American Dan Dickau on a new Gonzaga Nation episode.

Produced by Christian Pedersen.