Kevin Love traveled about 1,000 miles down the west coast from Portland. O.J. Mayo came twice as far — all the way from West Virginia.

Now the duo will resume their friendly rivalry just 14 miles apart in Los Angeles.

Kevin Love and O.J. Mayo first played against one another at the AAU Nationals in Memphis back in the seventh grade. The following season, Kevin Love's Portland Legends squad (which also featured Duke freshman Kyle Singler) lost to O.J. Mayo in the championship game.

The 6-foot-9, 260-pound Kevin Love comes in with the squeaky clean image. The son of a former NBA player and the nephew of one of the Beach Boys, The former Lake Oswego (Ore.) High standout is in charge of bringing a 12th national title back to UCLA.

He's the golden child in Westwood.

O.J. Mayo's background is different. Three high schools in four years, including returning to his hometown in Huntington, W.V. for his senior season, and a run-in with a referee that was plastered all over YouTube. The talented 6-5 combo guard comes to USC as a savior of sorts. He wanted to be "The Guy" and wanted to play in a major media market.

O.J. Mayo is likely only be a Trojan for one season, but the only player who received more hype coming out of high school recently is a guy named LeBron.

Said Kevin Love, "We have the ultimate respect for each other."

Kevin Love is the missing piece for UCLA — a tough, smart player who has the ability to make his teammates better.

O.J. Mayo is the missing piece for USC — a tough, smart player who has the ability to make his teammates better.

While Kevin Love is a low-post presence that will help Ben Howland and his Bruins take the next step from a pair of Four Final appearances to a national title, O.J. Mayo is a smooth backcourt player who was brought on board to help bring credibility to a football school.

Both of their coaches put high praise on their star-studded freshman. Howland is complimentary of his frosh, while Floyd gushes when talking about his young star.

"He's doing a good job every day and is working hard," Howland said. "He's very physical and shoots the ball well from the perimeter. He's got a good low-post game and is a perfectionist. He always needs to be perfect."

Floyd worked with numerous young players, including Tyson Chandler, Eddy Curry and Ron Artest, when he was coaching the Chicago Bulls.

"None of them were as prepared as O.J.," Floyd said. "A lot of guys are strong and some guys are quick, but few are both. He's got both and as a result, he can create separation as well as anyone I've seen."

Floyd paused when asked about O.J. Mayo's weakness.

"I haven't identified it yet," he said.

Kevin Love and O.J. Mayo may have come from different backgrounds, but now they are searching for the same thing and they'll do it in the same city.

"We both want to not just make it, but do great things," Kevin Love said.

Kevin Love admits he's already circled the dates — Jan. 19 at Pauley Pavilion and Feb. 17 across town at USC — when he'll get a chance to go up against O.J. Mayo.

"It's tremendous and it puts a spotlight on basketball in Southern California," Floyd said. "We've tried to set our goals high and turn the USC-UCLA rivalry into a Duke-North Carolina rivalry. We've got a long way to go, but things are changing here and Kevin and O.J. will certainly help."

"Both are going to have a lot of people staying up late at night to see what's going on out here," he added.

It'll be worth the lack of sleep.

All-American Freshman Team

SF: Michael Beasley, Kansas State — Versatile forward who can score inside or out.

PF: Blake Griffin, Oklahoma — Strong, tough and plays hard all the time.

C: Kevin Love, UCLA — He'll be the top all-around center in college basketball before long.

PG: Derrick Rose, Memphis — Strong, quick and athletic, plus terrific court vision.

SG: Eric Gordon, Indiana — The ultimate scoring guard.

Bench

G: O.J. Mayo, USC — Not much he isn't able to do on the court.

G: Jerryd Bayless, Arizona — Combo guard who can play either spot.

F: Kyle Singler, Duke — Versatile forward who can score, rebound and defend.

PF: Kosta Koufus, Ohio State — Extremely skilled and 7-foot-1.

PG: Jonny Flynn, Syracuse — He'll give this squad another pure point guard.

C: DeAndre Jordan, Texas A&M — A long and skilled 7-footer with a world of potential.

PF/C: Patrick Patterson, Kentucky — He's consistent with his effort and a force in the paint.