USC men’s path to rescuing a tournament bid starts against UCLA
This edition of the rivalry game has heightened importance after the Trojans’ costly loss to Oregon …
USC forward Chad Baker-Mazara celebrates after scoring against ORE during the first half Saturday, Feb. 21, 2026, in L.A. USC lost a heartbreaker 71-70. (AP Photo/Damian Dovarganes)
USC (18-9 overall, 7-9 Big Ten) at UCLA (18-9, 10-6), Tuesday, 8 p.m. PT, Pauley Pavilion, TV/Radio: FS1/USCTrojans.com/Listen
Haley Sawyer (OC Register) — The up-and-down USC men’s basketball team has to fight to rescue any chances of making the NCAA Tournament.
A costly 71-70 loss on Saturday to Oregon knocked the now desperate Trojans down to No. 58 in the NET rankings, a six-spot fall from their previous position at No. 52. They’ll need to win as many of the remaining four games as possible — starting with UCLA on Tuesday.
“I’ve never had a season like this,” head coach Eric Musselman told reporters after the Oregon loss. “We’ve got a game that means a lot to the university on Tuesday against UCLA. I don’t know what to say other than we lost the game tonight.”
ESPN’s bracketology by Joe Lunardi hasn’t been updated since Friday, but those predictions had USC listed as a No. 11 seed. The Trojans were also projected as a “last four in” team, meaning they could be one of the last teams to make the field overall.
The Bruins are in a similar situation, though not as dire. They beat No. 10 Illinois 95-94 in overtime on Saturday to hold steady at No. 42 in the NET rankings. ESPN had projected UCLA as a No. 11 seed on Friday and as another one of its “last four in” teams.
UCLA and head coach Mick Cronin have had their share of negative attention this season, but the players affirmed after the Illinois win that they are bonded and confident ahead of USC.
“It’s a rivalry game. You get up for those games,” 6-foot-2 guard Donovan Dent told reporters. “For us, these last four games that we have left, we need to have intensity for all of them. Our season’s on the line right now, so we’ve just got to play with everything we have. We’re in desperation mode.”
Dent is the Bruins’ second-leading scorer (13.3 ppg) after Tyler Bilodeau, who is averaging 18.1 points per game on 51.4% shooting from the floor and 45.6% from long range.
UCLA is the Big Ten Conference’s second-best 3-point shooting team and makes 37.9% of its attempts. USC has been holding opponents to 30.9% from that distance and kept Oregon at 25%.
Having leading scorer Chad Baker-Mazara available for a full game will also make a difference for USC on Tuesday night. The 6-foot-7 wing contributes 18.4 points, 4.2 rebounds and 1.2 blocks per game but had decreased availability due to foul trouble.
Baker-Mazara fouled out with a minute left in his first game back after missing three games due to a knee strain.
“There were some calls that I’m frustrated by for sure, but it doesn’t matter,” Musselman said. “We didn’t have much respect tonight with the whistle for sure, but again, it’s on us to play much better to not be in that position as well.”
The Trojans are 22-33 against the Bruins in the last 25 years and have lost the last two rivalry games. This chapter of the crosstown rivalry could be one of the most heated yet, considering what’s on the line for both teams.
“Holding each other accountable and keep pushing ourselves to be the best versions of ourselves every day,” graduate guard Ryan Cornish said.
“That’s the only thing we can really focus on. One day at a time. Worrying about all the little antics and side stuff, social media, any of that — it’s not gonna matter. We’ve just got to put our heads down and grind.”
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Stewart Mandel (The Athletic) grades all 17 Power 4 CFB HC hires, from Lane Kiffin to Billy Napier Mandel — The 2025-26 coaching carousel saw 17 Power 4 schools change coaches, including six in the SEC alone. There were 33 across the FBS, which included three College Football Playoff teams (Ole Miss, Tulane and James Madison). And realistically, only a small handful landed their eventual savior. Power 4 1) UCLA (A): James Madison coach Bob Chesney The 48-year-old is the polar opposite of inexperienced predecessor DeShaun Foster, having been a head coach for 16 years. He’s won in Div III, Div II, FCS and… Read more »
It would be interesting to see how he would have graded the carousel after the Riley-to-USC and Kelly-to-LSU year. He’d probably have had each as an A.
Stewart Mandel — “Last month, I got to take a shameless victory lap and remind everyone that I gave Indiana an “A” in 2024 for hiring Curt Cignetti. “In general, though, I’ve had a much higher hit rate with my rare Ds and Fs — Charlie Weis (F) and Les Miles (D) at Kansas, Trent Dilfer at UAB (F), Trent Bray at Oregon State (D) — than with my A students. For every Cignetti, Matt Campbell (A) at Iowa State or Clark Lea (A-) at Vanderbilt, there’s a Tom Herman (A) at Texas, Billy Napier (A) at Florida or Jonathan… Read more »
Stewart Mandel originally felt Riley was an excellent choice by USC. He ranked him as the No. 4 coach in the nation in his March 2022 pre-season analysis, Riley’s first year with the Trojans. However, after not too long, Mandel changed his tune … “[Mandel] I’m losing confidence in Lincoln Riley. The Trojans’ implosion last season was concerning. How do you go 8-5 (in 2023) with Caleb Williams as your quarterback? It turns out his 11-3 Year 1, when USC did not face either Washington or Oregon, was likely a mirage.” Then in 2024, Riley fell further to 7-6, slightly… Read more »
These top 2027 USC targets in the Rivals300 already have offers per Scott Schrader (WeAreSC). The Trojans are expected to only take 15-18 players. Top 25 No. 16 – LB Kaden Henderson, 6-1.5, 220, Tampa Jesuit, FL Top 50 No. 26 – WR Nick Lennear, 6-0, 165, Miami Carol City, FL (June 5-7 USC Official Visit) No. 27 – Edge Mekai Brown, 6-6, 235, Greenwich Country Day, CT No. 36 – ATH Honor Fa’alave-Johnson, 6-0, 180, San Diego Cathedral Cath, CA No. 41 – RB Landen Williams-Callis, 5-7.5, 190, Richmond Randle, TX No. 42 – WR Jaden Upshaw, 6-1.5, 195, Leesburg Lee County, GA Top 60 No. 53… Read more »
I can’t help thinking LR purposely recruits double the needed WRs so when they show what they can do, he plays his favorites while the rest sit and then leave. Then he goes about the same routine again next time around? As you imply, the OLs maybe not in the same mode of thought?
“There were some calls that I’m frustrated by for sure, but it doesn’t matter,” Musselman said. “We didn’t have much respect tonight with the whistle for sure, but again, it’s on us to play much better to not be in that position as well.”
USC has announced its spring practice dates.
March 3, 4, 6, 7, 10, 11, 13, 24, 25, 27, 28, 31; April 1, 3, 4.
A max of 15 spring sessions within a 34-day period are allowed.
No spring game.
Stewart Mandel (The Athletic) grades all 17 Power 4 CFB HC hires, from Lane Kiffin to Billy Napier Mandel — The 2025-26 coaching carousel saw 17 Power 4 schools change coaches, including six in the SEC alone. There were 33 across the FBS, which included three College Football Playoff teams (Ole Miss, Tulane and James Madison). And realistically, only a small handful landed their eventual savior. Power 4 1) UCLA (A): James Madison coach Bob Chesney The 48-year-old is the polar opposite of inexperienced predecessor DeShaun Foster, having been a head coach for 16 years. He’s won in Div III, Div II, FCS and… Read more »
It would be interesting to see how he would have graded the carousel after the Riley-to-USC and Kelly-to-LSU year. He’d probably have had each as an A.
Stewart Mandel — “Last month, I got to take a shameless victory lap and remind everyone that I gave Indiana an “A” in 2024 for hiring Curt Cignetti. “In general, though, I’ve had a much higher hit rate with my rare Ds and Fs — Charlie Weis (F) and Les Miles (D) at Kansas, Trent Dilfer at UAB (F), Trent Bray at Oregon State (D) — than with my A students. For every Cignetti, Matt Campbell (A) at Iowa State or Clark Lea (A-) at Vanderbilt, there’s a Tom Herman (A) at Texas, Billy Napier (A) at Florida or Jonathan… Read more »
Ha, no confession about Riley and Kelly. He needs to listen to Jill more. 😄
Stewart Mandel originally felt Riley was an excellent choice by USC. He ranked him as the No. 4 coach in the nation in his March 2022 pre-season analysis, Riley’s first year with the Trojans. However, after not too long, Mandel changed his tune … “[Mandel] I’m losing confidence in Lincoln Riley. The Trojans’ implosion last season was concerning. How do you go 8-5 (in 2023) with Caleb Williams as your quarterback? It turns out his 11-3 Year 1, when USC did not face either Washington or Oregon, was likely a mirage.” Then in 2024, Riley fell further to 7-6, slightly… Read more »
These top 2027 USC targets in the Rivals300 already have offers per Scott Schrader (WeAreSC). The Trojans are expected to only take 15-18 players. Top 25 No. 16 – LB Kaden Henderson, 6-1.5, 220, Tampa Jesuit, FL Top 50 No. 26 – WR Nick Lennear, 6-0, 165, Miami Carol City, FL (June 5-7 USC Official Visit) No. 27 – Edge Mekai Brown, 6-6, 235, Greenwich Country Day, CT No. 36 – ATH Honor Fa’alave-Johnson, 6-0, 180, San Diego Cathedral Cath, CA No. 41 – RB Landen Williams-Callis, 5-7.5, 190, Richmond Randle, TX No. 42 – WR Jaden Upshaw, 6-1.5, 195, Leesburg Lee County, GA Top 60 No. 53… Read more »
FWIW, I see a total of two OL. Lots of wide receivers, though😕
I can’t help thinking LR purposely recruits double the needed WRs so when they show what they can do, he plays his favorites while the rest sit and then leave. Then he goes about the same routine again next time around? As you imply, the OLs maybe not in the same mode of thought?
Other people on the staff and our GM need to convince Riley to recruit any linemen at all!