USC men's basketball has experienced a rollercoaster of a season. After stringing together three consecutive victories earlier this February, the Trojans have hit a rough patch, dropping back-to-back games, including a tough 36-point defeat at home against Illinois.
So, where do the Trojans stand in the NCAA Tournament picture? According to ESPN's latest "bubble watch," USC's postseason prospects have taken a hit. That recent winning streak had bolstered their tournament hopes, but losses to Ohio State and Illinois have now left them with about a 50% chance of securing an at-large bid.
If the season wrapped up today, USC might still snag one of the Big Ten's final spots, boasting the eighth-best résumé in what's shaping up to be a 10-bid conference. However, the predictive models aren't as optimistic, with USC sitting outside the top 50.
The silver lining? They have three Quadrant 1 games ahead, offering prime opportunities to strengthen their case.
With five regular-season games left-including two crucial rivalry matchups against fellow bubble team UCLA-and the Big Ten Tournament on the horizon, the Trojans still have a shot to prove they belong in the NCAA field. It's crunch time, and USC's destiny is very much in their hands.