Trojans Have Their Work Cut Out

If USC’s season is not at a crossroads, one is clearly in sight. The Trojans got off to a great start in Pacific 10 play, winning six of seven games.

But with Sam Clancy and Jarvis Turner sidelined because of injuries, USC has lost three in a row, the longest skid of the season, and one that could grow longer in Arizona next weekend.

Without Clancy, the other starters--David Bluthenthal, Brandon Granville, Brian Scalabrine and Jeff Trepagnier--continue to play hard. But despite protests to the contrary, they wear down late in games.

Without Turner, the Trojan bench--thin to begin with--seems almost invisible, despite the best efforts of Nate Hair and Kostas Charissis.

More than anything, USC needs something good to happen soon so the team can feel positive about itself again.

But after Wednesday’s loss to UCLA, several Trojans agreed they are going to have to make a stand in the final eight games of the regular season to impress the NCAA selection committee, which often selects at-large teams on how they finish the season.

“We’ve got to get one of these two games in Arizona,” Bluthenthal said. “And we got to win our last four at home. We have to buckle down.”

UP NEXT at Arizona

Thursday

7:30 p.m.

Fox Sports Net