The USC Trojans are in a tight spot as they scramble to keep their NCAA Tournament hopes alive. A nail-biting 71-70 loss to Oregon has put them in a precarious position, dropping them to No. 58 in the NET rankings.
With a record of 18-9 overall and 7-9 in the Big Ten, they’re facing an uphill battle. The road to redemption begins with a crucial matchup against their rivals, UCLA, on Tuesday.
USC head coach Eric Musselman didn’t mince words after the Oregon defeat. “I’ve never had a season like this,” he admitted. The upcoming clash with UCLA is more than just a game; it’s a chance to turn the season around.
ESPN’s bracketologist Joe Lunardi had USC pegged as a No. 11 seed before the weekend, placing them among the “last four in” teams. This means the Trojans are hanging by a thread, needing every win they can muster.
UCLA, meanwhile, is in a slightly better position but still feeling the pressure. The Bruins pulled off a thrilling 95-94 overtime victory against No.
10 Illinois, securing their spot at No. 42 in the NET rankings. Like USC, they’re projected as a No. 11 seed and are also fighting to stay in the tournament picture.
Despite some rocky moments this season, UCLA’s squad is united and ready for the challenge. “It’s a rivalry game.
You get up for those games,” said guard Donovan Dent. With their season on the line, the Bruins are in full desperation mode, determined to give it their all in these final games.
Dent, the second-leading scorer for UCLA, is averaging 13.3 points per game, while Tyler Bilodeau leads the team with 18.1 points per game, shooting an impressive 51.4% from the floor and 45.6% from beyond the arc. As the Big Ten’s second-best 3-point shooting team, UCLA will look to capitalize on their 37.9% success rate from long distance. However, they’ll face a tough USC defense that has been holding opponents to just 30.9% from three-point range.
USC’s fortunes could hinge on the performance of Chad Baker-Mazara. The 6-foot-7 wing is the team’s leading scorer, averaging 18.4 points, 4.2 rebounds, and 1.2 blocks per game. Having him on the court for a full game could be a game-changer, especially after his recent struggles with foul trouble.
Musselman expressed his frustrations with some of the officiating but acknowledged that the team needs to play better to avoid such situations. “We didn’t have much respect tonight with the whistle for sure, but again, it’s on us to play much better to not be in that position as well.”
The rivalry between USC and UCLA is storied, with the Trojans trailing 24-38 all-time and having lost the last two meetings. This upcoming showdown promises to be intense, with both teams desperate to secure their place in the tournament.
Graduate guard Ryan Cornish emphasized the importance of staying focused. “Holding each other accountable and keep pushing ourselves to be the best versions of ourselves every day,” he said. With distractions swirling, the Trojans are keeping their heads down and grinding it out.
The stage is set for a high-stakes battle at Pauley Pavilion. Tip-off is at 8 p.m. PT, and fans can catch the action on FS1 or tune in via USCTrojans.com.