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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 21 points but fouled out in only 23 minutes of action. Alijah Arenas scored 13 points but made 4 of 14 shots and is shooting 34 percent from the field in nine games and 23 percent on 3-pointers.

“Our locker room’s crushed,” Eric Musselman said. “They knew what was at stake. You win this game, you’re in a really good spot. You lose this game, you’re in a really tough, difficult spot.”

And who does USC play next? UCLA.

22 thoughts on “Did USC Just Play Itself Out Of NCAA Tournament?”

  1. oh boy, Wolfman!!! The ultimate grudge match between Muscle-Man and Scrappy Mick!!

    My prediction: Paaaaain!!!!

    I hear my classmate from MicroBiology 101, Reggie Miller will be in attendance!!

    Liked by 1 person

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      1. It comes to this: So Cal and MG reluctantly agreeing with Charlie…

        #BillMurrayInGhostbusters:

        #…”BiblicalPerversion…

        #….Cats&DogsLivingTogether”….

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      1. you’re right, i thank SC on behalf of all Bruins, in fact we are going to thank you further Tues night at Pauley!!

        #Myprediction:PAAAAIN!

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  3. They played a weak non conference schedule, are 7-9 in conference, got slaughtered at home to Illinois, and just lost at home to Oregon, one of the worst teams in the league. “Guys were on the bubble.” I remember when being invited to the NCAA tournament was an accomplishment. This is pathetic.

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    1. KAM: How can you have almost 20 wins and yet lose to the worst team in the Big Ten and be in 11th place in the conference?

      DON: Playing a weak nonconference schedule is Fool’s Gold. But it fools rah rahs every time.

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  5. KAM:Foreign countries donated over $1.1 billion to USC, making it one of the top recipients of foreign funding among American universities.

    DON: This funding is part of a larger trend where foreign entities have significantly increased their financial contributions, admissions and control of U.S. institutions.

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  6. The Muss Bus- 2 years of hearing this and ZERO NCAA PLAYOFF APPEARANCES. Why are we paying this guy 4 million dollars a year?

    Two losses at HOME to teams at the bottom of the Big 10. Today, there are 4 flat tires on the Muss Bus. Very poor coaching especially at the end of the game isolating a stuggling freshman to go one and one on an isolation play at the end of the game.

    Musselman belongs back in the NBA D league where players showcase for NBA tryouts. Today showed that more than ever being out coached by Dana Altman at Oregon who’s teams play team basketball.

    First of all USC should never be paying 4 million for a basketball coach based on the revenue the program has with limited atendance. Musselman, is the most overrated coach in basketball just had multiple stops in the NBA D league, and then at Nevada Reno, and Arkansas where he failed terrifbly way below expectaions.

    If your paying a coach 4 million a year it should be written in the contract you must reach the NCAA Tournament at least 3 years in the first five years, or the university has the right to terminate your contract with no “buy outs”. Aren’t pefromance clauses written in contract any longer, or is it just “buy outs” all to the coaches advantage. Folks Musselman is 0-2 reaching the NCAA playoff going into year 3, and I don’t see it happenning next year either with a bunch of 5 to 6 year veteran NCAA players who transfer to SC with one last hope for the NBA.

    After watching this game today I am convinced Musselman promised Arenas, and his family he would showcase his talents in his first year so he could move on to the NBA as a “one and done” star player. Are coaches getting paid by USC to showcase talent at the expense of the team, or win basketball games with a team concept. Where was our other freshman Jerry Easter today, and even worse one of our top scoring guards Jordan Marsh who did not play at all.

    Folks, we were better off with Andy Enfield he rebuilt USC basketball, and recruited well which is the foundation for building a program. We even beat UCLA on a consistent basis under his leadership. Musselman, is ruining the USC basketball program, and his coaching skills are very questionable. Watch at the conclusion of this year- 4 more players will transfer, and even though we bring in a couple of “one and done” recruits there is no foundation for future success.

    I am done with USC basketball until Musselman is gone probably after 1 one year. I want to see a true basketball program, teams that play team basketball not a bunch of 5th or 6th NCAA last chance for the NBA transfer portal players who are promised by Musselman that they can showcase their talents so they get a final shot at the NBA.

    USC should remind Musselman he is getting paid 4 million dollars a year which is among the highest paid in college basketball to build a team, and a program. Our AD Jen Cohen needs to let him know his coaching staff has not performed well, and fan attendance is down so so the program has fallen way below expectations. Bottom line, USC needs to make money from men’s basketball to justify a high men’s basketball salary so we must make the NCAA tournament next year, or you and your staff will need to accept a salary cut or resign. I think Musselman bought a beautiful home in Manhattan Beach for his family what in the world has he given back to USC to match his salary level, and please tell me what he has accomplished in his career to justify the salary level he earns at USC. Please examine his resume- lots of Muss Bus stops, a few NCAA appearances but other than that he has really never won anything.

    Maybe USC should pay the players more with NIL money, and save some money by hiring a “no name” coach who has had success at a smaller college Football coach Lincoln Riley has not performed well either with a 10 million dollar salary my question is are the coaches today the “stars” at USC , or the “players’ who perform on the field.

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  7. My favorite USC BB team was the team with Roy Irvine, a 6’5″ center and Jim Psaltis who won the PCC south and played Oregon State with one of the first seven foot centers in college basketball, Swede Holbrooke, for the PCC championship in 1954. USC home games were played at the old Pan Pacific Auditorium where CBS Television City is today. The home games were broadcast live on KTLA. The team made it to the only NCAA finals in school history, but lost to La Salle with Tom Gola in the semifinals and to Bradley in the third place game which used to be played before the finals in those years. Ever since, the BB team has been snake bit. It will take a huge investment of NIL money to get a great team in this day and age. Fight on, Dan, Class of 1962

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  8. P.S. The team to root for in the mid-50’s was the USF Dons with Bill Russell that had the undefeated string record and two consecutive NCAA championships before UCLA and John Wooden took over the championship.

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