USC makes a statement with upset of No. 7 Michigan State

USC guard Wesley Yates III (6), shoots over MICH ST center Szymon Zapala during the first half Saturday at Galen Center. (Mark J. Terrill / AP)
Ryan Kartje (LA Times) — Desmond Claude came crashing to the hardwood, his right knee caught awkwardly in the collision and the whole of Galen Center holding its breath. His lips tightened, a mix of grimace and incredulity.
For USC, desperately needing to start winning at home, there were few more troubling sights than this one: their leading scorer and floor general crumpled in a heap on the baseline, clutching a knee. And USC’s hopes of knocking off Michigan State — and any hopes at a miraculous NCAA Tournament run — seemed to limp right out with him.
Somehow, Claude missed only five minutes, reemerging from the locker room with only a light limp, still intact, determined to fight through the pain at whatever the cost.
“I wasn’t going to sit out this game,” Claude said, postgame. “It just, was a big game that we needed. And I had to step up.”
The image of Claude limping was fitting for what happened the rest of the way Saturday, as USC, with its group of hungry transfers, fought through an afternoon gauntlet with physical play to take down No. 7 Michigan State, 70-64 in what was unquestionably the biggest victory yet for new coach Eric Musselman.
Not only does it mark USC’s second win over a top-25 team in the last month, but it’s the Trojans’ second Big Ten win at home, where they’ve struggled since the start of conference play.
It took a courageous performance from Claude, who shook off an aching knee to score 19 points, and gutsy efforts from USC’s other two starting guards, Chibuzo Agbo and Wesley Yates (6), who combined for 29.
USC led from start to finish. But at every turn, Michigan State threatened to climb back, several times cutting the lead to one score.
Just a few days earlier, after USC’s fourth Big Ten loss at home in five tries, forward Rashaun Agee suggested that the Trojans had been “a little too relaxed” starting games inside the friendly confines of Galen Center.
Meanwhile, on the road, USC was 3-1 in its new conference, with a marquee win over a top-25 team (Illinois) on its résumé.
But there were no such concerns Saturday, as USC was stifling from the start, successfully fronting the post and clamping down on the interior. Within seven minutes, USC had soared to a 15-point lead, while Michigan State struggled to find any semblance of rhythm.

MICH ST guard Jeremy Fears Jr. steals the ball from USC guard Desmond Claude as forward Josh Cohen watches during the first half. (Mark J. Terrill / AP)
Claude was the catalyst for that scorching start, days after Musselman made clear that his leading scorer needed to be more aggressive with the ball.
Claude took that advice to heart, knifing through the lane and attacking the rim early and often. He scored 11 of USC’s first 22 points, looking well on his way to a career day.
Then, midway through the first half, Claude chased down a fast break, lifted up to block the lay-in and fell awkwardly on his right knee.
Wincing with pain, he left for the locker room, unable to put any weight on his right leg.
Michigan State climbed back in short order, cutting what was once a 15-point lead to just a single possession.
Claude returned eventually, and so did the stifling defense.
The Spartans tried to scratch and claw their way back from there. But it was the Trojans (13-8, 5-5) still standing as the final seconds ticked away, with another critical win in hand.
“This is a huge win,” Musselman said postgame. “I mean, I don’t know how else to say it. Because, they’re a veteran team, they’ve been in the Big Ten a long time, they’re so well-coached. So this is a huge game for us.”
latimes.com
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Jen is cleaning house……in a few more months the following conversation will occur….. Riley to Jen……Is it ok if I eat a hamburger today?…….Jen to Riley…….well, just make sure you write a memo concerning the contents, what makes you want to eat one and where, when and how. After that I’am directing you to throw the papers away and wash your hands…..with soap…..be sure to rinse with…..hot water……and dry your hands…..they provide towels for that……throw the towels in a waste can….they are labeled for waste. Any questions? Jen is going to bring us back. One thing about competence…..it’s easy to… Read more »
In case you haven’t heard…
Adam Schefter — Jaguars owner Shad Khan announced he has appointed former All-Pro left tackle Tony Boselli, the franchise’s first-ever draft selection in 1995 and member of the 2022 class of the Pro Football Hall of Fame, as the team’s Executive Vice President of Football Operations.
Congrats Tony. Your dedication on the field as well as the classroom have made you a success in transition.
Tony was truly a memorable Trojan OT, and is easily the greatest Jaguar ever
Edge Jadyn Ramos and 3-star LB AJ TuiteleTuitele will join the 21 HS players who signed with USC this past December to comprise USC’s 2025 signing class (12 on defense, 11 on offense):
DL Floyd Boucard (FL)
DB Trestin Castro (CA)
DL Gus Cordova (TX)
RB Harry Dalton III (VA)
OL Aaron Dunn (UT)
DB Alex Graham (MI)
WR Tanook Hines (TX)
WR Romero Ison (MD)
DL Cash Jacobsen (OK)
DB James Johnson (GA)
QB Husan Longstreet (CA)
DB Steve Miller (GA)
OL Alex Payne (GA)
DB Kendarius Reddick (GA)
WR Corey Simms (MO)
DL Jahkeem Stewart (LA)
LB Matai Tagoa’i (CA)
TE Nela Tupou (CA)
OL Elijah Vaikona (CA)
OL Willi Wascher (WA)
RB Riley Wormley (TX)
247sports.com
USC now ranking 4th best overall (recruits 23/transfers 11) in the Big10. Not bad all things considered.
Ya, it’s sure a lot better than being where we’ve been stuck much lower for many months.
Things are finally looking up for USC football after hopefully hitting bottom with a 6-6 reg season record and losses to teams like pitiful MARYD in our first year in the B1G.
Top 150 LB AJ Tuitele (6-3, 205, Las Vegas Mojave) Signs with USC over ARIZ, UNLV and UW
The extremely productive Tuitele played both ways for a state championship team at Mojave — 196 total tackles and multiple 20-tackles games.
“He’s a guy who really came onto the scene very abruptly,” On3 Director of Scouting and Rankings Charles Power said. “Played one year of high school football as an upperclassman, as a senior.”
Tuitele and Texas edge Jadyn Ramos (both viewed as “late risers”) were the two additions to USC’s 2025 recruiting class on Wednesday so far.
on3.com
Late risers or overachievers? If the coaching staff saw something promising in these two young men as well as the others on the signee list being hungry, determined and dedicated then I hope to see them on the field and productive as they were in HS. And that means they have to grow physically & mentally. Looking at this HS recruiting signee list, it does look impressive, scattered from all over the Country. And if God is a Trojan, let’s see how many of them will wind up more than just scout-team fodder and be known as the class that… Read more »
We’ve got to trust USC’s current talent evaluators. This has been somewhat of an inconsistent weakness (for lack of a better description) for USC under LR.
As I’ve said here many times recently, the new Trojan football additions and rearrangements are extremely welcome, big positive steps forward, and should help rectify long-standing weaknesses within USC football, both pre and post-Lincoln Riley.
Top 25 College Football Head Coaches in 2025 Ari Wasserman (on3.com). — Trying to rank the Top 25 coaches in college football is a crazy undertaking that has plenty of subjectivity. There’s no way to get everyone to agree because we all value different things as it pertains to what makes a coach great. Is it recruiting? Is it national titles? Is it doing less with more? Is it about recent success or total body of work? Something else? Here’s my best shot at it: 1. Kirby Smart, Georgia 2. Ryan Day, Ohio State 3. Dan Lanning, Oregon 4. Steve Sarkisian, Texas 5. Marcus… Read more »
“Doing less with more.” I think he meant the doing more with less because if doing less with more were the criterion, LR would be #1 without a doubt.
USC Promotes QB Coach to OC
Luke Huard gets a new Trojan title.
That title under HC Lincoln Riley has never come with playcalling responsibilities and it is highly unlikely Riley will turn that task over to Huard for the upcoming season.
With Bowden coming in and taking over the football program I guess The Brat had to show he’s doing something.
I don’t have any problem with Riley calling the offense. It is kind of like Bill Belichick says, it doesn’t matter what he calls, without really good players they aren’t going to win much in the way of championships. Good players execute, coaches just stand on the sideline.
National Signing Day 2025 presented by The Ultimate CFB Show begins tomorrow on X!
• Complete Class Breakdowns
• LIVE Commitments
• Insider Intel
Live coverage begins at 1PM ET / 12PM CT
National Signing Day 2025: Top 20 Recruiting Class Rankings per 247Sports
1. Texas
2. Georgia
3. Ohio State
4. Alabama
5. Oregon
6. Auburn
7. Michigan
8. Florida
9. Texas A&M
10. LSU
11. Tennessee
12. Notre Dame
13. Miami
14. USC
15. Penn State
16. Mississippi
17. Oklahoma
18. South Carolina
19. Florida State
20. Missouri
USC lands commitment from edge defender Jadyn Ramos Erik McKinney (WeAreSC.com) — While the December early signing period has taken all the attention away from the February traditional signing day, the USC Trojans are still using this period to build their 2025 recruiting class. On Tuesday, the Trojans added to the group with a commitment from three-star edge defender Jadyn Ramos (6-5, 220) out of Conroe (Texas) HS. Social Media Announcement — “I am beyond blessed and thankful to say that for the next 3-4 years I will be continuing my academic and athletic career at [USC],” Ramos posted. ” Thank you to… Read more »
Hopefully they sign the LB AJ Tuitele on signing day the 5th.
USC hires WIS GM Max Stienecker for front office The Trojans make another big front office hire out of the B1G. Chris Trevino (USCFootball.com) — USC has hired WIS general manager Max Stienecker for a front office position, marking another major talent acquisition for new Trojan GM Chad Bowden. Stienecker will serve as the program’s Executive Director of Player Personnel. Bowden and Stienecker worked closely together at CIN in the recruiting department. Stienecker began as a student assistant with the Bearcats in 2018 before working his way up to director of on-campus recruiting when he graduated in 2021. Bowden left for Notre… Read more »
Is LR having any input or Chad Bowden in charge?
I’m sure LR will have a lot of input. And I think that’s good, because LR proved time and time again he needed help in his weak areas, especially as the game has changed so dramatically. Now he has Jen Cohen, Chad Bowden and others to backstop him with input to help get him up to speed in year four. I see all these latest developments and additions as a win-win for USC Football. I think LR realized after last season that he was even losing his base. IMO, he’s trying to evolve, and I see no reason to criticize… Read more »
LR is stubborn. The fans and football pundants told him he needed to emphasize defense. He didn’t listen. Eventually he came around. They told him to get rid of Grench before that first year. He didn’t listen. Finally he came around. They told him he needs to run the ball more. He didn’t listen. Finally he’s beginning to come around. They told him he needs to quit ignoring california recruits. He didn’t listen. Finally he’s beginning to come around. I guess that could be because he’s a young coach and he’s still evolving in his football philosophy. He really should… Read more »
What makes you think “he’s coming around” to running the ball more and not ignoring California recruits?
Pass v Run plays against last four opponents
TAM 39-31
ND 49-28
UCLA 36-29
Nebraska 35-32
Against Nebraska it was close
Against UCLA it was fairly close
Against ND they threw for 360 yards. Why would you stop throwing the ball when it was working so well?
Against TAM, they were behind 24-7 in the 2nd half. In that situation you must throw thee ball.
Against ND, USC crumbled at the end behind two Jayden Maiava 100-yd record-breaking pick sixes, both horrible throws, to lose the game 49-35. Too much of a good thing rarely works.
Maiva doesn’t seem to know how to read defenses. He quite often throws into a crowd. Tom brady used to do that but he was accurate enough to thread the needle. This guy is not accurate at all. I think Husong is their future.
He seems to be coming around but we will see
5 of the 8 commits for the #2 2026 class are from So. Cal. Somebody from USC is working the CA kids.
USC shut out of ESPN’s two-round NFL mock draft Erik McKinney (WeAreSC) — The USC Trojans have sent a first-round pick into the NFL each of the past five years, but that streak looks to be coming to an end this season. This upcoming NFL draft also looks as though it will be without a USC Trojan selected in either of the first two rounds, according to the latest mock from ESPN’s Matt Miller. USC isn’t going to be shut out of the draft. The Trojans’ three Senior Bowl participants in OL Jonah Monheim, CB Jaylin Smith and RB Woody Marks, should all be… Read more »
Thanks for the clarification.
This change came after the recent NCAA ruling against USC?
Yes, they literally ruled against USC as they were planning to make the change! But we shouldn’t have any reason to think the NCAA has it in for USC!
All these new, young sleek hires. Perception implies progress is in motion. Just wonder if the USC Compliance Department remembers how many coaches we are allowed?
I’m not worried about that in view of the following: As of June 2024, the NCAA Division I Council removed the limit on the number of on-field coaches for college football teams. This means that any staff member can provide technical and tactical instruction to players during practice and games. Before June 2024, college football teams were limited to 11 on-field coaches, including the head coach and 10 assistants. The NCAA Division I Council’s decision allows teams to restructure their coaching staffs. The decision does not change the number of off-campus recruiters. FBS teams are still limited to 11 off-campus recruiters,… Read more »
Women of Troy slip down in AP Top 25 poll after six weeks in top five Ahmad Akkaoui (247Sports) — USC women’s basketball dropped to No. 7 in Monday’s AP top 25 poll, its lowest ranking since Dec. 16 following the loss to Notre Dame when it was also the seventh-ranked team. The Trojans went into their matchup with Iowa Sunday on a 15-game winning streak and a 9-0 record in B1G play. In front of 14,998 fans in Carver-Hawkeye Arena for Caitlin Clark’s post-game jersey retirement ceremony, USC couldn’t overcome a 1-of-21 shooting start, scored only four points in the first quarter, and were… Read more »
Boy dropping to 7th, if I was paranoid I would think it squeaks of a USC bias. Especially with 3 other 2 loss teams ranked ahead of them including UConn, which USC beat.
He who loses last finishes lowest.
Raiders, now coached by Pete Carroll, make Chip Kelly the highest-paid NFL coordinator at $6 mil per year Shanna McCarriston (CBSSports.com) — Chip Kelly is back in the NFL as the former head coach is joining the Las Vegas Raiders as their offensive coordinator. What’s more, they are making him the highest-paid coordinator in the league, averaging $6 million per year, according to SI’s Albert Breer. During the search for their offensive coordinator, Las Vegas reportedly told the candidates it wanted to make a “serious commitment with an infusion of cash” from the new owners. The Raiders certainly followed their plan by setting a… Read more »
tOSU coaching staff getting raided. The price of success.
Kelly, Ryan Day’s mentor, still has two years remaining on his contract and owes OHIO ST $350,000 for leaving for an asst coaching job in the NFL — though AD Ross Bjork has the right to waive or reduce the buyout.
I’ve said that he is too old but maybe not. He’s such a good people person and a great organizer that if he gets the right people under him, he might be able to coach until he is 80. He’s like trump with a non-stop motor even in his mid 70’s. Kelly was a good first step.
Players like to play for Pete. He’s an excellent culture guy.
SCX is starting to compete in recruiting and NIL. What makes me wonder is why it took so long.
Going into the dumper with back-to-back bad seasons under poor coaching after completely flopping away a disastrous Cotton Bowl to TUL as the Trojans did will set a fire under any program, especially a blue blood like USC that started to lose respect for its reputation nationwide.
Well lets hope all these hires are not smoke and mirrors and things actually change in 2025
Iowa upsets No. 4 USC, 76-89, on day of Caitlin Clark’s jersey retirement ceremony, in front of a sold-out crowd that included, former Hawkeyes coach Lisa Bluder, and legendary late-night TV host David Letterman.
NOTABLE: – With a team-high 27 points today, SO JuJu Watkins has now scored 20 or more points in 46 of her 55 career games at USC. – Watkins now ranks No. 15 all-time at USC in career scoring with 1438 points. – With one 3-pointer made, Watkins has hit at least one three in USC’s last 16 games. – Watkins has scored in double digits in all 21 games this season. – With 13 points today, GS Kiki Iriafen has scored in double digits in 20 of the 21 games she has played this season. – With four steals today, Kennedy Smith has recorded at least one steal… Read more »
Despite the big win yesterday, I really doubt SC gets a spot in the big dance. But you can’t underscore what a great job Muss has done, cobbling a team together on the fly. I am excited for the future for USC basketball. I wish I felt that good about Riley.
This was a great hire by none other than Jen Cohen.
I agree with you about Muss and Riley. I believe Muss will get the program into contention for an NCAA tournament birth in a few years. I always try to give a new coach 3 years to turn around a program, recruit his or her type of players, and start to compete for championships. Riley has had his 3 seasons and failed. He’s way overpaid for what he’s putting on the field. Same old stuff as Helton. It will be an interesting game this Fall when Helton and Georgia Southern visit the LA Coliseum.
We can call that SC-GaSo game the Underwhelmers Bowl….😪🤮😫🤣
Ought to be an interesting day in my house, with my daughter being the Georgia Southern alumna and my wife being ambivalent towards SC on her best day….🤔
Think I will be viewing in a sports bar for that game….
Sounds fun…
How about on her worst day? 😉
Musselman’s energetic and highly informative post-game presser (15 mins):
“We’ve had two humongous wins and there’s still a lot of basketball to be played. They have probably one of the deepest teams I’ve ever seen. We were able to outreact guys. The only way for us to win is to be ultra-focused…”
What this victory over MICH ST at Galen means — “USC has had up-and-down performances this season, but beating a ranked opponent always stands out, especially when they haven’t lost in more than two months. This win pushes USC up from 11th to a tie for eighth place in the Big Ten standings and is a big boost for its NCAA tournament resume. The Trojans, obviously, still have a lot of work to do at 13-8 overall, but they remain two games out of fourth place in the Big Ten, meaning they’re still in the mix in the conference. If they… Read more »
MICH ST’s Tom Izzo’s take on USC’s big win:
“I had an assistant that said ‘what starts bad, ends bad,’ and this start was atrocious. We wanted to go inside right off the bat. We turned the ball over twice. We took a couple of bad shots. … We got punched in the mouth, and that doesn’t happen to us very often.”