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USC Tuesday Buzz: A Viral Spotlight On Recruiting
There’s been attention on Matt Leinart saying he turned down USC’s request to let recruits wear his retired No. 11. The whole issue illustrates what a farce it was to let Jordan Addison wear No. 3 for his one semester at USC. I don’t blame Carson Palmer for that. I blame Lincoln Riley and his staff for pestering Palmer to let Addison wear No. 3. … Continue reading USC Tuesday Buzz: A Viral Spotlight On Recruiting
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USC Monday Buzz: The Hype Reached A New High (Or Low)
Can you believe spring practice is already halfway over with seven of the 15 practices used up? The number of experts talking about spring practice is breathtaking. They can discern even small details even though Lincoln Riley only allows less than 30 minutes of practice viewing: the meaningless part where stretching and individual drills take place (of course). That doesn’t stop pundits from making bold … Continue reading USC Monday Buzz: The Hype Reached A New High (Or Low)
USC Wins Three Oscars!
USC won an earl Oscar tonight as Sam A. Davis won in the Best Live Action Short Film catergory for “The Singers.” Davis is a graduate of the USC Cinema School. And another Trojan, Ludwig Göransson, won for Best Score for ‘Sinners.” It’s his third Oscar victory. And it’s a hat trick for USC as Ryan Coogler won for Best Screenplay for “Sinners.” It’s a … Continue reading USC Wins Three Oscars!
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USC Buzz: It’s Selection Sunday (For One Team)
It’s Selection Sunday, otherwise known as a day off for Eric Musselman and his players. But the women’s basketball team will wait to see where they get sent. Guard Jazzy Davidson, who gothurt in the Big Ten Tournament, is OK and able to play. Will USC be able to win two games in the tournament? One game might be a tough ask depending on the … Continue reading USC Buzz: It’s Selection Sunday (For One Team)
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USC Baseball Loses First Game Of Season
When it was announced USC would play a doubleheader today, that didn’t bode well for the Trojans’ undefeated season. After winning the first game, 2-0, the Trojans lost the second game, 2-1, with the late innings played in snow flurries. This was worse weather than Lincoln Riley ever endured in the Big Ten. USC’s 19-game winnng streak tied the longest in program history. The pitching … Continue reading USC Baseball Loses First Game Of Season
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USC Saturday Buzz: Big Commitment Day
USC should get a commitment today from five-star athlete Honor Fa’alave-Johnson from San Diego Cathedral Catholic High School. Continue reading USC Saturday Buzz: Big Commitment Day
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If It’s Friday, It’s Time For A USC Notes Column
For the past four years, there has always been hype around the USC strength program from the fanboys and media. But there were some not-so-great marks at USC’s Pro Day. Linebacker Eric Gentry had only 13 reps of 225 pounds. Linebackers usually do at least 20 reps. Wide receiver Ja’Kobi Lane did 11 reps in the bench. By comparison, Zacariah Branch did 20 reps at … Continue reading If It’s Friday, It’s Time For A USC Notes Column
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USC Notes: Makai Lemon Update
Makai Lemon ran the 40-yard dash between 4.48-4.53 seconds today at USC’s Pro Day according to Dane Brugler. The discrepancy is normal because NFL scouts always hand-time the 40 and then they will get together and choose a time in that range that is the most popular. The time is considered solid and doesn’t hurt Lemon because he is not known as a speed guy. Continue reading USC Notes: Makai Lemon Update
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Morning Buzz: USC Pro Day Features Anticipated Workouts
USC holds its Pro Day today. Makai Lemon is expected to run the 40-yard dash, which he did not do at the NFL combine. Eric Gentry will participate in drills, which he did not do at the NFL combine. Continue reading Morning Buzz: USC Pro Day Features Anticipated Workouts
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USC Will Not Play In NIT After Loss To Washington
Eric Musselman said he did not expect USC to play in the NIT. “I would assume we’re not going to play,” Musselman said. Musselman also said he can’t wait to get started on next year. That’s another way of saying you’ve had enough of the current team. Well, that’s on Musselman. He recruited them. He paid them. He coached them. Alijah Arenas didn’t even play … Continue reading USC Will Not Play In NIT After Loss To Washington
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Peacock Botches Start Of USC Game
It wasn’t bad enough that Fox Sports 1 missed the first 10 minutes of the USC-UCLA game last weekend. This morning, Peacock was still showing its studio show nearly five minutes into the USC-Washington game at the Big Ten Tournament. Peacock! They eventually joined the game “in progress.” I’m not even sure why we need a studio show for a streaming network. Just show the … Continue reading Peacock Botches Start Of USC Game
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USC Morning Buzz: An Early Start Has Drawback
I spoke to a coach yesterday who worked with Gary Patterson at TCU. One thing I asked is whether Patterson would have wanted such an early start to spring practices? “No way,” the coach said. “They are not giving him enough time to implement his defense and teach it in meetings before starting spring practices. He would have wanted more time.” That’s an interesting perspective … Continue reading USC Morning Buzz: An Early Start Has Drawback
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USC Notes: Largest Staff In America?
Rob Ryan is in fact coaching at spring practices, which means USC does have three linebacker coaches. No pun intended but this is a bloated coaching staff. Ohio State defensive coordinator Matt Patricia will be paid $3.75 million in 2026, making him the highest-paid assistant in the country. I still think USC might have the most expensive staff with all the deadwood getting paid sizeable … Continue reading USC Notes: Largest Staff In America?
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USC Morning Buzz: Spring Propaganda Season Underway
This is one of things that drives me crazy about spring football (at any school). A play that is not particularly special gets sent out and circulated everywhere and people pretend it is amazing. Spring propaganda remains undefeated. You know when a play like this matters? In the fall. Against an opposing team. Not in the spring. And if USC thinks plays like this are … Continue reading USC Morning Buzz: Spring Propaganda Season Underway
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USC-Oregon A Key Moment For Sir Lincoln
In this clip from college football pundits Andy Staples and Ari Wasserman, they say regarding the USC-Oregon game for Lincoln Riley: “This is a ultimate s— or get off the pot moment.” Continue reading USC-Oregon A Key Moment For Sir Lincoln
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USC Morning Buzz: Time For A Spring Practice Observation
Did you know that during a reception with alumni on Friday night, USC president Beong-Soo Kim referred to Jen Cohen as the “best athletic director in the country.” It is not unusual for him to coach up every position on the defense at practices, not just the secondary, which is his specialty. This bodes well overall for the defense but as I’ve alluded since he got … Continue reading USC Morning Buzz: Time For A Spring Practice Observation
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USC Sunday Buzz: Some Hard Truths With Basketball
Eric Musselman is now 0-4 against UCLA. I think he has done an admirable job to try to inject energy and interest in the program. But it’s clear he needs to rethink how he has run the program. He can’t keep brining in an army of transfers every season and there needs to be higher standards about the character of players. I’m well aware the … Continue reading USC Sunday Buzz: Some Hard Truths With Basketball
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Fox Sports Bungles USC-UCLA Broadcast
Fox Sports 1 pulled a debacle tonight. It did not broadcast the USC-UCLA game until 10.9 seconds were left in the first half. That’s because the Panama-Puerto Rico baseball game ran long (and it was a great game!). Fox said you could watch the USC-UCLA game on its app but several USC fans told me they couldn’t even get the game on the app. Why … Continue reading Fox Sports Bungles USC-UCLA Broadcast
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USC Saturday Buzz: Where Is Eric Musselman?
UCLA coach Mick Cronin, the angry gnome, has made two videos this week for students about attending tonight’s game at the Galen Center. Eric Musselman? Crickets. It’s a shame that Musselman, who works harder than any coach trying to drum up interest in the program, has gone MIA this week. It gives the impression, rightly or wrongly, that he has given up. Maybe he is … Continue reading USC Saturday Buzz: Where Is Eric Musselman?
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If It’s Friday, It’s Time For A USC Notes Column
Where would we be without breathless spring reports that wide receiver Trent Mosley is really good? Who knew? It’s similar to when the Penn State fan bought the ticket to run out on the field before the USC game. These fans are wired in 24/7. The Iron Maiden concert has been rescheduled for the following day. The manager of the team was Sparky Anderson, who … Continue reading If It’s Friday, It’s Time For A USC Notes Column
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USC Notes: A Tradition Looks Primed To Continue
Su’a Cravens will be the guest speaker at the 57th annual Trojan Football Alumni Club golf tournament. It’s a good time to remind everyone Lincoln Riley has yet to appear at this golf tournament since becoming USC football coach. Here’s the thing: In its past two games, USC has been outrebounded, 91-49. That is atrocious. Lindsay Gottlieb getting exposed when she doesn’t have a huge … Continue reading USC Notes: A Tradition Looks Primed To Continue
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USC Morning Buzz: Two Special Teams Coaches And Three Linebacker Coaches On A Busy Staff
USC now has two special teams coaches. Ryan Dougherty, who is Lincoln Riley’s friend and worked with him since Oklahoma, will continue to coach kickers and punters. Mike Ekeler will coach the rest instead of Dougherty. “When we’ve evaluated it, there’s certainly been some areas we’ve been really strong special teams-wise, and there’s been some areas that have held us back and obviously need to … Continue reading USC Morning Buzz: Two Special Teams Coaches And Three Linebacker Coaches On A Busy Staff
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USC Notes: Early Spring Means Short Winter
I saw something about how USC strength coach Trumain Carroll has his first full offseason with the Trojans since joining the staff last year. Well, the Alamo Bowl was Dec. 30. Let’s say the team took a week off (at a mimimum). Spring practice started March 3. He really had less than eight weeks for winter workouts. UCLA starts spring practice April 2. That provides … Continue reading USC Notes: Early Spring Means Short Winter
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Morning Buzz: USC Wants To Build A Team!
USC has opened spring practice with a ton of players thanks to 32 incoming freshmen players already enrolled. “We got talent, now we got to build a team,” Lincoln Riley said. Isn’t that something that could be said for several years? Is USC better at QB than in the past? Or wide receiver? What about linebacker, defensive line and the secondary? So let’s see what … Continue reading Morning Buzz: USC Wants To Build A Team!
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USC Notes: Full Roster For Spring Practice
USC has 46 true freshmen and redshirt freshmen available for spring practice. That’s quite a number and one would think you could have some excellent, physical practices. And, of course, a scrimmage. Lincoln Riley has not divulge the actual practice plan for the spring but I guarantee he is going to have scrimmages/scrimmaging. He just won’t let the public or media see it. Continue reading USC Notes: Full Roster For Spring Practice
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Morning Buzz: USC Basketball Has Officially Become A Circus
USC’s basketball program resembles a soap opera as Gilbert Arenas, the father of star freshman Alijah Arenas, saw fit Sunday night to weigh in on the departure of Chad Baker-Mazara. An excerpt: “Right before the tournament, this is what we doing? “I don’t know who he cussed out. but get over it, he’s right. When you the best player on the team, whatever you say, … Continue reading Morning Buzz: USC Basketball Has Officially Become A Circus
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Chad Baker-Mazara No Longer On USC Basketball Team
Chad Baker-Mazara is no longer a member of the USC basketball team, the school announced this afternoon. Baker-Mazara said he was hurt and could no longer play during yesterday’s loss to Nebraska and then sat next to the bench in seats with fans. This ending doesn’t surprise insiders in the college basketball world. I mentioned last June when Baker-Mazara transferred to USC that this would … Continue reading Chad Baker-Mazara No Longer On USC Basketball Team
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USC Sunday Buzz: Thanks, Enfield!
Did you see SMU lost by 20 at Stanford last night? Thanks, Enfield! SMU had a 16-3 record and looked like a lock for the NCAA Tournament but has lost 7 of its past 10 games. Maybe USC and SMU can play each other in the NIT. Continue reading USC Sunday Buzz: Thanks, Enfield!
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USC Offers Meek Performance Vs. Nebraska
The demise of USC basketball continued Saturday afternoon at the Galen Center. The Trojans led at halftime by five points but completely collapsed in the second half of their 82-67 loss to Nebraska. USC made 4 of 21 shots from 3-point range. It got rebounded, 41-25. “We did not rebound the ball,” Eric Musselman said. “Rebounding the ball is something that I thought at least … Continue reading USC Offers Meek Performance Vs. Nebraska
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USC Saturday Buzz: The Good And Bad Of This Weekend
A reader sent me this mock USC game ticket for the season-opener. How many of you will be happy going to see San Jose State (again) at the Coliseum. Eric Musselman seems to have lost some enthusiasm as the Trojans fade and today is a must victory to get back into the NCAA Tournament projections. I can’t really say the Trojans are playing with a … Continue reading USC Saturday Buzz: The Good And Bad Of This Weekend
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If It’s Friday, It’s Time For A USC Notes Column
There was genuine surprise at the reunion of the 2001 Elite Eight USC basketball team last weekend because no one expected Coach Henry Bibby to attend. “Everybody was surprised he showed up,” a player in attendance said. Why? Well, let’s just say players would swap a lot more colorful stories than heartwarming ones regarding their head coach. He can cite injuries but how many times … Continue reading If It’s Friday, It’s Time For A USC Notes Column
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Don’t Believe Spring Scrimmage Spin
So one of the excuses Lincoln Riley has given about canceling the spring game is it causes him to eliminate a regular practice for the game and another practice to prepare for the scrimmage. Here’s some things to consider: Riley usually has the team scrimmage during other parts of spring practice. How come those scrimmages are not a problem? USC and other schools hold closed … Continue reading Don’t Believe Spring Scrimmage Spin
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USC Morning Buzz: The Coliseum Schedule Just Became Odder
Now that the USC schedule is completed, here is an oddity. USC plays only two home games after Oct. 3. And one of those games is on Halloween (Ohio State). This is a byproduct of Lincoln Riley and Jen Cohen dropping the Notre Dame game at the Coliseum and replacing it with an August game vs. San Jose State. So USC fans will have three … Continue reading USC Morning Buzz: The Coliseum Schedule Just Became Odder
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USC Replaces Notre Dame With Mighty San Jose State
USC will host San Jose State at the Coliseum on August 29th. This is the replacement for Notre Dame. Congratulations! It was expected that USC would find a cupcake because that is what Lincoln Riley wants for non-conference games. So instead of playing Notre Dame on Thanksgiving weekend, USC will play San Jose State on a hot August day. Remember when Jen Cohen said USC … Continue reading USC Replaces Notre Dame With Mighty San Jose State
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USC Morning Buzz: That Familiar Feeling With Basketball Is Back
USC isn’t going to beat UCLA when Alijah Arenas goes 2 for 8 with five turnovers. Or forwards Ezra Ausar and Jacob Cofie are a combined 4 for 16. Maybe it was unrealistic to expect USC to beat UCLA at Pauley Pavilion but it was necesary with home losses to Northwestern and Oregon. The problem is when you bring in an entire new team every … Continue reading USC Morning Buzz: That Familiar Feeling With Basketball Is Back
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USC Notes: Who Is Pro Fans? Me!
UCLA is a 6.5-7.5-point favorite tonight against USC at Pauley Pavilion. The rematch is March 7 at the Galen Center. Eric Musselman needs to win tonight for NCAA Tournament hopes but he really needs to win at least once to avoid going 0-4 against the Bruins in his first two years. If USC is going to win, everyone needs to play and the two-best players … Continue reading USC Notes: Who Is Pro Fans? Me!
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Morning Buzz: USC Won’t Follow Indiana’s Lead In One Area
Lincoln Riley just sprung on everyone last night that USC spring practice would begin next week. And of course, there will be no spring game, just like last year. So even with all the freshmen enrolled already at USC, he still won’t put together a spring game for the fans. Should I mention that Indiana had a spring game last year and is scheduled to … Continue reading Morning Buzz: USC Won’t Follow Indiana’s Lead In One Area
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USC Notes: A Real Crowd At Coliseum
USC baseball’s starting pitchers over the weekend: 17 innings, 5 hits allowed, 1 earned run, 28 strikeouts. Continue reading USC Notes: A Real Crowd At Coliseum
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Morning Buzz: Does USC Just Have More Money Or Better Recruiters?
When Eric Henderson went to the Washington Commanders, people lamented USC losing his recruiting prowess. When Chad Savage recently got a promotion, people said his recruiting ability was one of his biggest attributes. Hard to argue since USC just had the No. 1 recruiting class. But multiple reports say USC spent as much or more money as any team in the country on NIL with … Continue reading Morning Buzz: Does USC Just Have More Money Or Better Recruiters?
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USC Sunday Buzz: The Best Coaching Job In America
You know what the best coaching job in America is? USC men’s basketball coach. You can make $5 million a year and just about have the least pressure to win of any Power 4 job with largely apathetic fan base outside of a small following that almost never calls for a coach to be fired. This is not an indictment of Eric Musselman, by the … Continue reading USC Sunday Buzz: The Best Coaching Job In America
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Did USC Just Play Itself Out Of NCAA Tournament?
USC entered the day as one of the last four teams in the NCAA Tournament according to ESPN but that was before disaster struck at the Galen Center. The Trojans blew a six-point lead in the final 70 seconds and lost to lowly Oregon, 71-70. Oregon is in second-to-last place in the Big Ten with a 3-13 record. Chad Baker-Mazara returned from injury and scored … Continue reading Did USC Just Play Itself Out Of NCAA Tournament?
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USC Saturday Buzz: A Take On State Of The Program
Former USC linebacker Willie McGinest was recently on the All the Smoke podcast and this was one comment about the current state of the football program. “We haven’t done what we are supposed to do. We fell short. He has delivered a Heisman Trophy winner in Caleb Williams. But as far as the standard for the school we have underchieved and we need to get … Continue reading USC Saturday Buzz: A Take On State Of The Program
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If It’s Friday, It’s Time For A USC Notes Column
Former USC wide receiver Robert Woods retired this week. I’ve never seen a freshman receiver arrive at USC and learn the play book so quickly or run such precise routes. But it was easy to comprehend if you spoke to Woods and saw how mature he was even as a freshman. Davidson had 24 points, 5 rebounds, 6 assists, 4 steals, and 3 blocks against … Continue reading If It’s Friday, It’s Time For A USC Notes Column
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Who Wants College Football Teams To Compete?
This sums up how I feel about USC fans who are happy that Notre Dame is off the schedule. A segment of fans just want easy games to make the College Football Playoff. They want a lousy game over a marquee matchup. They prop up a coach who hates to compete. The Big Ten backs it up the non-competitive attitude with a ridiculous proposal for … Continue reading Who Wants College Football Teams To Compete?
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USC Morning Buzz: Muss Bus Rollover At Galen Center
The Muss Bus rolled over between Figueroa and Flower streets last night, as Illinois routed USC, 101-65. It was the largest Big Ten road win for Illinois since 1946 when the Illini defeated the University of Chicago, 70-28. Now USC was without Chad Baker-Mazara (knee), who wasn’t even at the game. And Alijah Arenas played only 18 minutes after being bothered by illness. “I didn’t … Continue reading USC Morning Buzz: Muss Bus Rollover At Galen Center
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Time For A Hype Machine Favorite To Get Started
If it’s the offseason, it’s time for Joel Klatt to hype up USC. Actually, he’s equally happy to do it in the offseason and during the season. Like clockwork. So here he is doing what he does best: Continue reading Time For A Hype Machine Favorite To Get Started
InsideUSC with Scott Wolf 