Eric Musselman’s Tough Trojans Take Down Michigan State

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

USC guard Wesley Yates III lofts a left-handed layup over Michigan State center Szymon Zapala at Galen Center.

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.

Michigan State guard Jeremy Fears Jr. steals the ball from USC guard Desmond Claude as forward Josh Cohen watches.

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

___________

TrojanDailyBlog members —  We always encourage you to add factual information, insight, divergent opinions, or new topics to the TDB that don’t necessarily pertain to any particular moderator post or member comment.

 

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illinoisusc
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illinoisusc
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February 5, 2025 11:54 am

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 »

Jamaica
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Jamaica
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February 5, 2025 10:56 am
Reply to  Allen Wallace

Congrats Tony. Your dedication on the field as well as the classroom have made you a success in transition.

Golden Trojan
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Golden Trojan
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February 5, 2025 10:37 am
Reply to  Allen Wallace

USC now ranking 4th best overall (recruits 23/transfers 11) in the Big10. Not bad all things considered.

Jamaica
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Jamaica
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February 5, 2025 10:32 am
Reply to  Allen Wallace

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 »

volunteerTrojan
Major Genius
February 5, 2025 7:22 am
Reply to  Allen Wallace

“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.

Golden Trojan
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Golden Trojan
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February 4, 2025 4:41 pm
Reply to  Allen Wallace

With Bowden coming in and taking over the football program I guess The Brat had to show he’s doing something.

Steveg
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Steveg
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February 4, 2025 6:47 pm
Reply to  Golden Trojan

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.

Steveg
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Steveg
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February 4, 2025 6:51 pm
Reply to  Allen Wallace

Hopefully they sign the LB AJ Tuitele on signing day the 5th.

Golden Trojan
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Golden Trojan
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February 4, 2025 4:40 pm
Reply to  Allen Wallace

Is LR having any input or Chad Bowden in charge?

parcelman007
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February 4, 2025 11:34 am

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 »

Golden Trojan
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Golden Trojan
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February 4, 2025 12:55 pm
Reply to  parcelman007

What makes you think “he’s coming around” to running the ball more and not ignoring California recruits?

Golden Trojan
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Golden Trojan
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February 4, 2025 1:03 pm
Reply to  Golden Trojan

Pass v Run plays against last four opponents
TAM 39-31
ND 49-28
UCLA 36-29
Nebraska 35-32

parcelman007
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February 4, 2025 5:33 pm
Reply to  Golden Trojan

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.

parcelman007
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parcelman007
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February 5, 2025 2:26 am
Reply to  Allen Wallace

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.

parcelman007
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parcelman007
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February 4, 2025 5:25 pm
Reply to  Golden Trojan

He seems to be coming around but we will see

Steveg
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Steveg
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February 4, 2025 7:00 pm
Reply to  Golden Trojan

5 of the 8 commits for the #2 2026 class are from So. Cal. Somebody from USC is working the CA kids.

DanaPtTrojan
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DanaPtTrojan
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February 3, 2025 7:18 pm

Thanks for the clarification.

DanaPtTrojan
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DanaPtTrojan
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February 3, 2025 4:03 pm

This change came after the recent NCAA ruling against USC?

Golden Trojan
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Golden Trojan
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February 3, 2025 4:29 pm
Reply to  DanaPtTrojan

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!

DanaPtTrojan
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DanaPtTrojan
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February 3, 2025 2:28 pm

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?

Golden Trojan
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Golden Trojan
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February 3, 2025 3:53 pm
Reply to  Allen Wallace

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.

volunteerTrojan
Major Genius
February 3, 2025 2:41 pm
Reply to  Allen Wallace

tOSU coaching staff getting raided. The price of success.

parcelman007
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parcelman007
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February 3, 2025 5:30 pm
Reply to  Allen Wallace

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.

parcelman007
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parcelman007
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February 2, 2025 6:14 pm

SCX is starting to compete in recruiting and NIL. What makes me wonder is why it took so long.

parcelman007
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parcelman007
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February 3, 2025 5:23 pm
Reply to  Allen Wallace

Well lets hope all these hires are not smoke and mirrors and things actually change in 2025

Golden Trojan
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February 2, 2025 3:35 pm

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.

PN4SC
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PN4SC
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February 2, 2025 3:11 pm

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.

TrojanRon
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TrojanRon
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February 3, 2025 4:32 am
Reply to  PN4SC

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.

ATL D.D.S.
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ATL D.D.S.
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February 3, 2025 7:00 am
Reply to  TrojanRon

We can call that SC-GaSo game the Underwhelmers Bowl….😪🤮😫🤣

ATL D.D.S.
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ATL D.D.S.
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February 3, 2025 7:10 am
Reply to  ATL D.D.S.

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….🤔

ATL D.D.S.
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ATL D.D.S.
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February 3, 2025 7:11 am
Reply to  ATL D.D.S.

Think I will be viewing in a sports bar for that game….