USC basketball updates on the Pac-12 title scenarios, Evan Mobley, bracketology and more (3/1)

USC basketball picked the worst time to slump, putting their Pac-12 title hopes in jeopardy, while Evan Mobley needs a big finish for his award candidacy.

Let's have a look at the latest USC basketballl updates:

About controling their own destiny...

Welp. USC had the Pac-12 title within its grasp. Then a disastrous road trip to the mountain schools snatched it away.

Losing to Colorado and Utah was devastating to the Trojans' hopes of securing a long-awaited regular-season Pac-12 title. Now they need a bunch of help.

First, they need to win their last two games against Stanford on Wednesday and UCLA on Saturday. The good news is the Bruins lost to Colorado, so a win at Pauley Pavilion would do the trick to put the Trojans ahead of their rivals in the standings.

Of course, Oregon is now a problem. The Ducks have UCLA, Arizona and Oregon State still on the schedule. USC needs them to lose one of those to drop below them in terms of win percentage.

Easiest scenario? USC beats Stanford and UCLA while UCLA beats Oregon and loses to USC.

Evan Mobley is a big awards candidate

Mobley is one of the most spectacular players USC has had in ages, so it's no surprise he's gunning for some major silverware.

Congratulations to USC freshman @evan_mobley7 on being named a finalist for the Kareem Abdul-Jabbar Center of the Year Award! pic.twitter.com/rrb5SzKcxO
— USC Men's Basketball (@USC_Hoops) February 26, 2021

First player ever to win #Pac12Hoops Player, Freshman & Defensive Player of the Year, presented by @Nextiva❓@mattmuehlebach thinks @evan_mobley7’s got it in the bag. pic.twitter.com/XCS1W0eEc2
— Pac-12 Network (@Pac12Network) February 27, 2021

Here's the thing, Mobley hasn't been at his best over the last three games. He had just 11 points against Oregon and Utah while managing 13 against Colorado. He's too good of a player to have such a limited impact.

Those performances may ultimately hurt his awards candidacy, but he has a window to reignite them by taking over in USC's final two games of the regular season. Now is the time for him to become a legend.

New bracketology docks USC

Jerry Palm updated his bracketology for CBS Sports on Monday and the impact of USC's latest losses is clear.

The Trojans are now a No. 7 seed with a first round matchup against No. 10 seed LSU on the cards.

There was a time when USC might have hoped for a No. 4 seed. So this is just another layer to the disappointment of the last week.

National championship odds exist for the Trojans

If you're into gambling and have some money to blow (responsibly, of course), then consider USC's national title odds.

UCLA's national championship odds in men's basketball have dropped to 100-1 from 50-1 as of Feb. 2, according to BetOnline. USC has stayed at 66-1.
— Ben Bolch (@latbbolch) March 1, 2021

The Trojans are ahead of UCLA, at least?

Depth Chart. Projecting the Defensive Lineup for 2021. dark

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