Trojans Pressed for Answers in Losses

Two of USC’s five losses have been bad ones, and both were to Big West Conference opponents--Utah State and Long Beach State.

Both opponents employed similar tactics to win.

The Aggies and 49ers pressed and stalked the Trojans in the first half, then went to aggressive zone defenses in the second to make USC try to beat them with jump shots.

The results? USC made nine of 26 second-half shots against Utah State in Hawaii. In the second half against Long Beach State on Thursday, the Trojans made seven of 29.

Against Long Beach State, only David Bluthenthal (seven for 14), Brandon Granville (six for 12) and Brian Scalabrine (two for four) shot 50%. Sam Clancy, Jeff Trepagnier and Nate Hair were the only other Trojans to attempt a field goal, and they were a combined eight of 31.

*

Clancy, 6 feet 7, and Trepagnier, 6-4, are not the tallest players, but they are effective shot blockers. Each has 53 career blocks, tied for ninth on the school’s all-time list. Clancy had all four of the Trojans’ blocked shots against Long Beach State. Clancy has blocked 14 shots this season, Trepagnier nine.