Reality Sets In for Trojans

USC returned from the Bay Area with the realistic view of having blown a chance to make NCAA tournament, falling to 7-9 in the Pacific 10 after a 6-1 start. “You keep wanting to look at the big picture,” guard Brandon Granville said. “But [Saturday’s 86-73 loss to California] put a big damper on our hopes of getting into the tournament. It’s really tough when you start the season so well. You think the route to the NCAA will be easier. But this also shows how tough the Pac-10 is. You can get beat any night by anybody. You’ve got to get your wins when you can because you never know when you’re gonna get them back.”