Caleb Love has never scored a point for USC on a basketball court. He never helped USC make a Final Four. However, he did something Trojan fans can definitely appreciate: He prevented UCLA from making the Final Four.

Recall what happened in the Sweet 16 round of the 2022 NCAA Tournament. Tar Heels Wire recalled what Love did in the East Regional semifinal against UCLA in Philadelphia:

“In a fast-paced game that went back and forth for most of it, UNC prevailed late backed by a big second half from Caleb Love. The guard scored 27 of his 30 points in the second half to help UNC grab a lead late and not look back.

“Love drained a 3 with 1:06 left in the game to give UNC a 67-64 lead and then made two key free throws late to extend the lead to 71-66 and eventually sealed the deal for the Tar Heels. The win is huge for UNC as they are now one game away from the Final Four.”

Imagine how much more of a juggernaut — and how much more of a headache for USC — the Bruins would have become if they made the 2022 Final Four. UCLA, had it beaten North Carolina on that night, would have faced 15th-seeded Saint Peter’s in the Elite Eight, a near-guaranteed ticket to the Final Four. UCLA would have made back-to-back Final Fours after getting to the big show in 2021. If UCLA had made consecutive Final Fours, maybe USC doesn’t land Isaiah Collier. Maybe Boogie Ellis doesn’t stay. Maybe Bronny James doesn’t come here. We don’t know for sure, but it definitely helped USC for UCLA to not continue to rise in the college basketball world.

Now at Arizona with the Wildcats, Caleb Love will be a USC opponent. However, Trojan fans can be grateful that Love knows how to beat UCLA. He has already done so when it really mattered.