USC Jumps Over Cal 73-62

(photo: Yahoo! Sports)

What a game! A healthier, re-energized USC team won its 3rd straight game. The Trojans clamped down defensively on one of the best 3-point shooting teams in the country, holding the Cal Golden Bears to just 2-16 (12.5%) from beyond the arc. With the win, the Trojans improved their record to (15-6) overall and (6-3) in the Pac-10 moved into sole possession of third place. The Trojans are just one game behind conference leaders Washington and fucla, but have a chance to even the score by beating the bRuins at pauley pavilion this Wednesday.

More after the jump!

Freshman Demar Derozan led the way for the Trojans with 19 points, but he deserves praise for his outstanding defensive play. Marcus Johnson, who finished with 6 points, set the tone early with yet another thunderous dunk. The senior transfer from UConn took a fastbreak pass from Daniel Hackett and then skied over Cal defender Jorge Gutierrez, who would hear it from the student section the rest of the night, and electrified the crowd with the amazing dunk. Despite Derozan's team-high 19 points, the Trojans featured a balanced scoring attack offensively. Hackett had another solid game at the point with 14 points, big man Taj Gibson posted his 11th double-double this season with 12 points and 13 rebounds, and junior guard Dwight Lewis added 12 points. You can watch the highlights from Fox Sports here.

The Trojans appear to be hitting their stride as we turn the basketball calendar to February. The team is getting healthy, and as a result, their play has been steadily improving. This month is crucial for the Trojans' post-season aspirations. Five of the next seven games are on the road, beginning with fucla this Wednesday. The Trojans know they can play with the bRuins after winning at pauley last season and losing a close one 64-60 at Galen Center on January 11. We'll have a preview of the game by Tuesday night.

Fight On! Beat the Bruins!

USC Holds off Stanford 70-69

(Photo: LA Times)

Some of us in the Galen Center Student Section could not bear to watch the last 14.6 seconds of last night's game. On USC's final possession, USC guard Daniel Hackett went to the foul line with a chance to stretch USC's 70-69 lead, but he missed the front end of a one and one, giving Standford a chance for a game-winning shot. You could here a pin drop as Taj Gibson contested Stanford forward Lawrence Hill's turnaround jumper from the baseline. The ball rimmed out as the final buzzer sounded and the crowd let out a collective sigh. Through sheer will and determination, the Trojans found a way to win this game and improved their record to (14-6) overall and (5-3) in the Pac-10. More after the jump!

The Trojans were not even close to being full strength for this game earlier in the week. Following their Washington road trip, Gibson learned that he had pneumonia, Hackett came down with the flu, and Dwight Lewis and Leonard Washington were still finding their way back from ankle injuries. Coach Tim Floyd received great news on Thursday morning went it all four players were cleared and ready to play. The Trojans got some great energy from Washington, who started the game and scored 12 points, including 8 points in the first few minutes of the 2nd half. However, it was Marcus Johnson who may have provided the spark that led to the Trojans' victory. In the first half, Marcus got the crowd excited with a ankle-breaking fast-break dunk and then followed up a high-flying Demar Derozan dunk with his own version of the same dunk, only more electrifying. See photos below (courtesy of SCPlaybook.com).





You can see some of the highlights here, courtesy of Fox Sports.

A lesser team would have let this game slip away. However, this team continues to show toughness, heart, and resiliency. The Trojans wrap up the first half of the conference schedule against Cal this Saturday and 8:30pm. A win would put the Trojans at (6-3) in the Pac-10 as it enters the remaining 9 games of the regular season beginning with fucla next Wednesday at pauley pavilion. So let's get out there and fill the Galen Center.

Fight On! Beat the Bears!

USC Basketball Coming Together??

Expectations remained high at USC this season, despite the early departures of last year's talented freshmen duo of O.J. Mayo and Davon Jefferson. Not only were the Trojans coming off back to back NCAA Tournament appearances, but they returned 3 veteran starters in Daniel Hackett, Dwight Lewis, and Taj Gibson, and added another highly touted freshman in Demar Derozan. However, there have been some disappointing moments for the Trojans during the first couple months of the college basketball season.

The refusal of UNC transfer Alex Stephenson's waiver to play this season, coupled with injuries to players such as Kasey Cunningham (out for season) and freshman Leonard Washington (missed first 4 conference games) have really tested USC's meddle so far this season. This has hurt the bench's depth, and as a result, the offense has been inconsistent. Coach Floyd's team has shown that it can compete with the best in the country, but they seem to lose focus at times. The Trojans have looked great in tough losses to highly ranked Oklahoma on the road, and at home against fucla. But only a week ago, the Trojans were in a mid-season crisis after back to back losses to lowly Oregon State and fucla. Tim Floyd and some of his veteran players had become the brunt of criticism and doubt from fans and media.

The team might have done some soul-searching since then because they appear to be re-energized as we head into the crucial month of February. USC swept the Pac-10's Arizona schools this past week, improving to (12-5) overall and (3-2) in the Pac-10. They showed heart and toughness in picking up those two gritty wins. Gibson and Hackett have emerged as team leaders, but they need to continue to keep this team together and make them believe in one another. Derozan is getting better with each game and is beginning to believe that he can take over games. Lewis was benched for the ASU game last Thursday, but responded with two clutch performances against the Sun Devils and Arizona. Role players Keith Wilkinson, Marcus Johnson, and the now healthy Leonard Washington are finding their groove as well.

USC's record currently stands at 12-5 overall and (3-2) in the Pac-10. They have played themselves back into the Pac-10 race and now must build on these two big wins so that they can finish strong. Up next is another tough Pac-10 road trip against the Washington schools. USC plays at Washington on FSN Thurday at 8pm PST.

Fight On! Beat the Huskies!!

Still Talkin...

Its been a while since our last post, I apologize for that. The founding members here at USC Sports Talk have been quite busy the last few months. Some have been busy breaking in new careers, while the rest have been "hitting the books," working hard to obtain the prestigious status of USC Alumni. Congratulations to those USC Sports Talk members who have graduated. It was a looong journey. A battle that I'm am happy to say, no soldiers were left behind. Fight On!

Now just because we haven't made a post in over a month doesn't mean we are not abreast of all things USC. Joey and myself were fortunate enough to take in the Rose Bowl Game live and witness Mark Sanchez pick apart the Cowardly Lions' defense. Mel kiper fan and I have had the pleasure of attending all of the Men of Troy's home basketball games. And we have all been keeping a very close eye on the football recruiting scene. We will have numerous posts in the coming weeks as we approach National Signing Day on the colossal recruiting class BIG Balls Pete is putting together.

The Men of Troy

Earlier tonight I had the pleasure of watching the Trojans defeat the No. 15 ranked ASU Scumdevils 61-49. All the talk prior to the game was circled around ASU's super sophomore James Harden. The national media has been jerking off to Harden and how he is the poster child for why college basketball players should stay in college. Apparently there is much to be learned by staying in school an extra year and I think its safe to say that Daniel Hackett gave Mr. Harden his first lesson of the semester. Hackett LOCKED DOWN Harden the ENTIRE game. Harden finished with ZERO field goals and mustered a measly 4 points (4-7 from the free throw line). Hackett's gritty defensive performance was Kevin Durantesque, frustrating Harden from the tip-off.

There's a reason he's not a one-and-done

Demar Derozan helped seal the deal putting in a career high 22pts on 8-13 shooting. Derozan has progressed nicely over the course of the season. Every game he keeps getting better and better. Most impressive is his ability to have such a large impact on the game without having the ball in his hands.

This is a great win for the Trojans, however there is a lot of work to be done if the Trojans are to compete for the Pac-10 title. The Trojans have got to reduce their turnovers and find someone who can dribble the basketball (The fundamentals, dribbling and passing). We'll have a post game update following the Arizona game with some basketball recruiting updates as well. (I know Joey's hurting that Zona's recruiting class was gutted by the rest of the Pac-10)

Fight On!

Beat the Wildcats!

Oh yea I almost forgot, Josh Shipp's a pussy.

Double D, My Favorite

No, I'm not referring to the bust size of a former bruin Las Vegas cocktail waitress... I'm referring to incoming freshman Demar Derozan (Double D). Derozan recently participated in the McDonald's High School All-American game, where he scored 10pts in 17 minutes while also claiming the crown at the Powerade Jam Fest. Here is the latest mix tape from BallisLife.com highlighting a spectacular senior season for Demar...

I heard it in a Dream

I can hear it now....

Petros:

And now the starters for your USC Trojans!

At forward, a 6'8" sophomore from LYNWOOD, California. Wearing the #5... Daaa-von Jefffferson!

At the other forward position, a 6'6" freshman from COMPTON, California. Wearing the #24... Demar Deroooozan!

At guard, a 6'5" junior from Pesaro, Italy. Wearing the #13... Daniel Hackett!

At center, a 6'9" junior from Brooklyyyyn, New York. Wearing the #22... Taj Gibsooon!

And at the other guard position, a 6'5" sophomore from Huntington, West Virginia. Wearing the #32...... OJ Mayooooo!!!

The Trojans are coached by Tim Floyd!

Assisted by Bob Cantu, Gib Arnold, and Phil Johnson.

What a starting lineup that would be. The Trojan faithful cannot help but hope that freshman sensation OJ Mayo decides to return to for his sophomore season. The Trojans would field the most talented starting lineup in the conference, if not the entire country. The lethal combination of Davon Jefferson & Demar Derozan would cause tremendous mismatch opportunities, leaving opposing teams searching for defenders athletic enough to keep up with these two high fliers.

The ball however rests in OJ Mayo's hands. According to a recent LA Times article fellow freshman Davon Jefferson is planning on returning for his sophomore season. And Taj Gibson made his intentions clear at the Trojans award banquet, where he announced his plans to stay for his junior year. The Trojans will also get back 6'7" redshirt sophomore Kasey Cunningham and 7'0" redshirt freshman Mamadou Diarra both of which spent the 2007-2008 season recovering from injury. The Trojans also add Donte Smith, a 5'11" sophomore transfer from Mt. Sac Community College.

If Mayo does decide to declare for the NBA draft, the loss will be softened by the addition of Derozan, Rivals #2 ranked player in the country. However I'd much rather see Mayo dishing out alley oops to Derozan than have to dish out $200 for an authentic OJ Mayo NY Knicks jersey.

Fight On!

Derozan Video

Nice video containing highlights of USC commit Demar Derozan at the Pangos All-Star tournament...



Video courtesy of Vootage.com

The video also has a few highlights of USC prospect Jordan Hamilton, a 5-star small forward from Dominguez High School.

Tourney Tim is getting it done!

Demar Rising in the Rankings

USC commit Demar Derozan is ranked among the top 5 players in his class, according to Rivals newly released top 150. After a very impressive spring Demar jumped 13 spots from #17 to #4. Here's what recruiting analyst Jerry Meyer had to say about Demar's rise in the rankings...

"Demar DeRozan has always been one of the most athletic players in the 2008 class, and now he is one of the better prospects in the class," Meyer said. "He shoots an effortless jumper off NBA-style moves, and can get a rebound in a crowd. He is a prototypical NBA shooting guard."

USC recruit Greg Monroe still holds the top spot, while UC Los Angeles commit Jrue Holiday holds the #2 ranking. Despite a recent scholarship offer from UNC, Demar's commitment appears very solid.

FIGHT ON!

Derozan's on FIRE

We here at USC Sports Talk, myself especially, have been hyping Derozan ever since we first saw this highlight video created by Ball Is Life. Derozan was recently upgraded to a 5 star recruit on Rivals, 17th overall, and is proving that he is one of the best high school basketball players in the country. On Friday Derozan delivered an all-star caliber performance against some of the nations best talent in the Cactus Classic in Arizona.

In a game featuring Brandon Jennings, Jrue Holiday, and Larry Drew, Derozan delivered a standout performance and lead his team, Belmont Shores, to a 98-91 victory. Derozan finished with a game high 29pts shooting 11-18 with 7 rebounds and 2 assists. Here's what Justin Young from Rivals had to say about Derozan and his performance...

Derozan, a USC commitment, was outstanding and looked every bit the five-star prospect in the victory. The 6-foot-5 guard scored a game high 29 points on 11 of 18 shooting from the floor. The term 'pro' was tossed around quite often after his outstanding showing. That kind of compliment was clearly justified.

Derozan is a big time scorer and is establishing himself as such nationally this spring. This might be his signature game of the year and certainly gave the pro Pac-10 crowd something to think about for the future, especially with his second half outburst. What a night for the five-star guard.

USC fans can look forward to years of excitement in the Galen Center. Gibson and Mayo will provide the majority of the excitement this season and Derozan and the rest of the 2008 class will keep things rolling the following season. My hat goes off to Tourney Tim. His coaching and his recruiting continue to impress me. Keep up the good work Tim. I also want to give props to the players, Taj Gibson and Dwight Lewis, I saw this last week heading over to the Galen Center to get their swoll on.

Fight On!

Tarbabe to become Trojan?

According to TrojanNYC, Trojan recruit Demar Derozan is nearing a decision about where he will play his college ball, with USC topping his list. This is my favorite recruit from the 2008 class. Derozan has been compared to players like Gerald Green and Josh Smith for his athletic ability. Derozan can sky and deservingly wears the number 23. Looks like Floyd is building another top class. Allow us at USC Sports Talk to introduce you to Demar Derozan....