LOS ANGELES — They need to play with some characteristics of the Big Ten, Eric Musselman emphasized. Physicality. Rebounding. Discipline. But Musselman’s teams, dating to Arkansas and Nevada, have long taken on an identity wholly unto themselves, playing with much of the unbridled energy he carries inside his 5-foot-7 frame. They are long. They are … Read more
Jim Alexander: We will get to the Women’s Final Four in a moment – and believe me, there’s a lot to get to, because the competition on the women’s side has been far more compelling than that on the men’s side. (Right now that competition seems like Connecticut’s coronation, though I won’t be surprised if … Read more
PORTLAND, Ore. — The miracle ended, here, with their agent of chaos away from the chaos. JuJu Watkins’ defensive instincts as a freshman, assistant coach Beth Burns said back in the good ol’ days of February and USC’s run through the Pac-12, were remarkable. Watching, defensively, like a cat. Sitting, and pouncing. Except here, in … Read more
The NCAA Tournament’s second round continues Monday morning for women’s basketball teams. UCLA and USC represent the local area as they compete in the second round for an opportunity to advance to the Sweet 16. Here’s the schedule (with TV channels) and we’ll update with final scores throughout the day: (7) Mississippi vs. (2) Notre … Read more
LAS VEGAS — It ended, fittingly, with one final body bump, USC’s McKenzie’s Forbes collapsing to the hardwood after a final-second foul from UCLA’s Gabriela Jacquez. Falling unceremoniously, smacking the court again – but with a smile, because there was nothing left but to smile. The crosstown rivals fought until they couldn’t possibly fight anymore … Read more
USC coach Andy Enfield gives instructions to players during the first half of the team’s NCAA college basketball game against UCLA, Saturday, Feb. 24, 2024 in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Kyusung Gong) USC guard Kobe Johnson (0) goes up for a basket over UCLA guard Sebastian Mack (12) during the first half of an NCAA college … Read more
LOS ANGELES — Jada Williams was the pest who wouldn’t leave, the nagging fly in JuJu Watkins’ ear, buzzing and hovering and visibly frustrating one of the best scorers in the nation. Williams had seen, firsthand, the devastation Watkins could bring, the two meetings as seniors last year when Williams’ La Jolla Country Day team … Read more
TEMPE, Ariz. — Jose Perez scored 20 and Frankie Collins and Jamiya Neal each scored 17 points and Arizona State beat USC 82-67 to end a seven-game regular season losing streak against the Trojans on Saturday. Alonzo Gaffney added 11 points for ASU. It was ASU’s first regular-season win against the Trojans since Feb. 8, … Read more
LOS ANGELES — Before he took a job at Georgia, Donte Williams left USC with one heck of an early Christmas gift. Williams, for four years in a complicated and fascinating USC assistant-coaching career – with a tumultuous interim head-coach stint in 2021 – only built upon a reputation as one of the best recruiters … Read more
SAN DIEGO — It is one of sport’s hoariest and lamest cliches, usually applied as a rationalization for one’s own lack of effort: “The other team wanted it more.” It is an empty sentence, that is, until bowl season. Then there’s some meaning to it, although maybe the phrasing should be flipped: “More of them … Read more
