5 issues to look at in USC males's basketball's rebound sport at San Diego

[ad_1] USC males's basketball's most up-to-date sport towards Washington produced a consequence that the Trojans doubtless wish to shortly overlook about. Quincy Pondexter, Desmond Claude and Wesley Yates III returned to Los Angeles and beat USC 84-76 at Galen Heart after the Trojans had an 18-point lead within the first half.

Claude and Yates III mixed for 38 factors, Hannes Steinbach added 24 of his personal and USC was left with a surprising upset after capturing 37% from the sphere.

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However fortunately, the character of collegiate sports activities offers the Trojans two alternatives to shortly overlook about this loss. For one, USC girls's basketball received revenge on the Huskies simply sooner or later later, beating the Washington girls's basketball workforce 59-50.

For one more, USC shortly will get one other likelihood to play on Tuesday towards San Diego. One of the simplest ways to maneuver on from a loss is all the time to get again within the win column.

How can USC try this towards the Toreros? Listed below are 5 issues to look at because the USC Trojans (8-1) tackle the San Diego Toreros (3-5) on Tuesday evening and look to enhance to 2-0 in Huge Ten convention play:

How does USC reply to a loss? Dropping to a bitter rival after main by 18 factors is all the time robust, and if the Trojans aren't cautious, it might have an effect on their confidence and focus.

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Now, enjoying towards San Diego is not precisely a large problem on paper. The Toreros are a small convention workforce with a 3-5 report, together with losses to different small convention groups resembling Idaho State, UC Riverside, Cal Baptist, Lengthy Seaside State and San Jose State.

However, report apart, we've not seen how this Trojan workforce responds to shedding but. They've responded to loads of adversity all through the season, together with accidents to key gamers. However a primary style of shedding has brought on loads of nice groups to lose to lesser groups.

Watch the Trojans' physique language, interactions with each other, and vitality ranges on this one, particularly in the event that they battle early.

Fan attendance for each groups This represents a uncommon alternative for USC and Trojan followers: an away sport in Southern California. It is all the time attention-grabbing to see how Trojan followers journey, and in addition what San Diego Trojan followers benefit from this chance to see a sport of their native space. It is an awesome alternative for Trojan followers to have an effect on the sport on the highway.

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However, maybe because it's towards an enormous SoCal rival, the Toreros are taking fan attendance at this sport significantly as effectively. The college is handing out free tickets, free meals, and free t-shirts to college students in what they're calling "Pack the Pavilion."

This sport, greater than different video games, might be a sport to look at fan attendance/affect for each groups.

How does USC's rotation take form with out Amarion Dickerson? Amarion Dickerson is formally going to be out for 3 to 4 months with a proper hip damage. Earlier than he received harm, Dickerson was fifth on the Trojans in minutes per sport with 21.6.

That is a variety of minutes to fill on the guard place, particularly since USC has additionally been enjoying with out star guard Rodney Rice.

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Jordan Marsh stepped up huge time in Dickerson and Rice's absences towards Washington. Marsh had 17 factors off the bench, second on the Trojans.

Will Marsh proceed to be closely relied on? How does Ryan Cornish think about? How does that shift when Rodney Rice returns (hopefully quickly) and Jerry Easter II goes again to the bench?

It looks like a puzzle with a variety of shifting items proper now, which makes it one thing to look at.

A very good Christmas season for Easter II? One of many greatest storylines from USC's loss to Washington was Jerry Easter II's glorious play for a second straight sport.

Easter II recorded a career-high 13 factors and tied his profession highs with 4 assists and two steals. That efficiency got here only one sport after Easter II matched his earlier profession excessive vs Oregon with 11 factors.

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He additionally led the Trojans with 40 minutes performed, 6 extra minutes than Chad Baker-Mazara, who was second on the Trojans in minutes performed with 34. That is an indication that despite the fact that Easter II is probably not USC's main scorer, coach Eric Musselman sees his sport holistically as very worthwhile to the Trojans.

Is he establishing himself as one among USC's most precious gamers even after Rodney Rice returns? We'll see if his all-around affect continues.

Three-point capturing: the X issue for San Diego San Diego is a workforce that likes to try a variety of three-pointers. They've taken 210 threes on the season. The Trojans, by comparability, have taken solely 196.

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By means of their first 4 video games of the season, the Toreros have been capturing the ball very effectively from past the arc. It is no coincidence that they have been additionally 3-1 after these 4 video games. Of their final 4 video games, all losses, they've shot worse that 29% from three in each sport. However they've nonetheless averaged over 24 makes an attempt a sport in that span. They'll take plenty of threes whether or not they make them or not.

The important thing for USC is to not let San Diego get into any form of rhythm from past the arc. The Trojans jumped out to an 18 level lead towards Washington largely as a result of the Huskies shot 1-12 from three within the first half. They finally misplaced to Washington largely as a result of the Huskies shot 5-9 from three within the second half. USC's perimeter protection is clearly one thing to look at.