USC men's basketball blows big lead in disappointing loss to Washington

The Trojans’ perfect start to the season came to a sudden end as an 18-point halftime lead was erased by Washington at the Galen Center on Saturday night. The Trojans allowed 54 points in the second half which ultimately resulted in an 84-76 defeat, dropping the Trojans to 8-1 overall and 1-1 in conference play.

Offensive Takeaways

USC’s offense was a story of two halves. Scoring 48 points in the first half was impressive, with the team fluidly attacking the basket and capitalizing on open shots. However, the second half told a different story as the offense stalled and failed to recover or halt the Huskies’ massive run. Three Trojans reached double figures, with Chad Baker-Mazara leading once again with 21 points, followed by Jordan Marsh with 17 and Jerry Easter II with 13. The Huskies outperformed the Trojans in field goal percentage, shooting 45% compared to USC’s 36%.

Defensive Takeaways

It appeared the Trojans had resolved their early-season rebounding issues, but that was not the case against the Huskies. The primary factor in this loss was rebounding. USC managed to secure victories over less talented opponents despite losing the rebound battle, but such shortcomings were bound to be exposed against stronger teams. Washington dominated the boards 45-31, including a significant five-rebound advantage on the offensive glass. USC seemed content to allow Washington additional scoring opportunities, and the Huskies converted that generosity into 17 second-chance points.

Key Takeaway and What's Next

Eric Musselman will use this outcome as a valuable learning experience for his squad. The Trojans are a strong team, but they seemed to ease off and lose focus after entering halftime with a substantial lead. This Trojan team must recognize that such complacency will no longer be tolerated in the intensity of conference play.

The Trojans will return to action on Dec. 9 with a road matchup against San Diego. Tip-off is scheduled for 6 p.m. PT (9 p.m. ET) and the game will be broadcast on ESPN2.