Well like most people this past weekend I was busy spending time with my family and busy traveling so I didn't get to see either of these games, but there are a few nice little insights to be taken from the box Scores.  First off, the Coppin State game from all appearances went about as well as could possibly expected.  The 31 point victory was keyed by strong team shooting including nearly 50% three point shooting and a staggering 39 to 16 rebounding advantage. So what if they feature only one starter taller than 6'5"? A win is a win, and although it certainly doesn't mean USC is a good team, it does mean that they aren't an absolutely horrible team at the very least.

The Nebraska game is another story though, and although it was nice to see that the Trojans were competitive with a 51-48 loss, the box score shows a lot of missed opportunity. The veterans (ie players who saw significant minutes at the end of last season) Dwight Lewis, Marcus Simmons, and Nikola Vucevic were a combined 3 for 22 from the field. That is almost unspeakably awful, I mean if those three would have hit on just 25% of their shots with all else being equal they would have won the game. On the flip side, Marcus Johnson  and Alex Stepheson both shot 50% or higher on their way to 10 and 13 points respectively, but combined for an absolutely miserable 6 of 15 free throw shooting. If the Trojans would have had had just one player hit their shots and make their free throws then the game would have been a W by the looks of things. Although, for whatever its worth, the Trojans as a team played like garbage and gave the ball away like nobody's business (see 17 turnovers) and still almost won.

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Bumped - P

Can a picture say a thousand words?

What a disappointment after the UCR game. The fact of the matter is that yes, USC's lack of depth hurt them and the outside shooting just was not there like on Tuesday night, but SC still should have won this game. And actually, early in the second half the Trojans had a fairly comfortable 10 point lead, and it appeared as though everything was going to go according to script. Some poor coaching decisions combined with strong shooting by LMU though quickly closed the gap and ultimately lead to the loss.

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Bumped...Thanks LS! - P

I was debating about whether to go to this game tonight. Really, it seemed just as likely that USC would lose as they would win, but I am pleased to report that it was well worth the trip and that it seems that Kevin O'Neill may have a very competent team on his hands. Certainly I would be hesitant to describe any of the players as "spectacular" or even "explosive" but if very competent gets a comfortable win over a potentially dangerous opponent then I'll take that any day.

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OK, I guess not technically our season, but ucla lost to Cal State Fullerton in double OT 68-65. Really a very sloppy game for both teams. It seemed like the bruins were taking far too many outside shots and not developing the inside out game when the three just wasn't there. At the same time though CSUF could not finish near the rim to save their lives and it seemed like neither team really wanted to win.

So of course tonight USC hosts UC Riverside which features former Trojan Kyle Austin who was selected pre-season first team all conference. And honestly SC could very well lose this game; Alex Stepheson is dealing with knee inflammation issues and Kasey Cunningham being listed only as probable. Also both Leonard Washington and Marcus Johnson are not eligible to play (although its only for two games for Johnson, have to wait till December for Washington).

I still think the Trojans have the edge with a (likely) starting lineup of Donte Smith, Dwight Lewis, Marcus Simmons, Kasey Cunningham, and Nikola Vucevic, but if they want to win they're going to have to build a lead in the first half and hold it with tough defense as they have almost no bench whatsoever. Well unless you consider a freshman guard recovering from a separated shoulder, a walk on point guard, and an unknown rail thin Latvian giant a bench. Its gonna be a tough battle, and I'm going to try to make it out and grab some pics.