USC faces tough challenge

The warm-up for USC’s stretch of three games in 117 hours next week just turned into what might feel like a 20-mile slog.

Through quicksand.

The Trojans could experience a sinking sensation tonight against a Southern Illinois team that tends to discombobulate its opponents on both ends of the court.

The No. 19 Salukis have forced 23.3 turnovers a game and are outscoring their opponents by an average of 18.7 points entering the championship game of the Anaheim Classic at the Anaheim Convention Center.

“Look at their shot charts,” USC Coach Tim Floyd said Saturday evening. “They get the ball in the lane and they keep the other team out of the lane. That’s their theory, and they do a great job of it.”

The Trojans are glad to be vying for an early season tournament title, but they might have preferred a lesser challenge heading into the Oklahoma-Kansas-Memphis whirlwind that starts Thursday against the Sooners at the Galen Center.

Instead they get Southern Illinois, which has been dubbed Floorburn U. because of a tenacious defense that is limiting opponents to 35.7% shooting and 52.7 points. The Salukis are also tremendously patient offensively, continually waiting for a high-percentage shot to develop in the lane.

“They may be the toughest team physically that we’ve played against since we’ve been here,” Floyd said.

What makes the Salukis so tough?

“Great help defense,” Floyd said. “The ball’s on the wing, they’ve got four guys in the lane. The ball’s in the lane, they’ve got five guys in the lane. You just don’t get shots in the paint, and if you try to come in there, typically you’re trying to run into three or four guys” and draw a charging foul or have the ball knocked away.

Floyd said he likes the identity the Trojans have formed in winning four consecutive games after their season-opening loss to Mercer. The Trojans have improved their shot selection, made more free throws than their opponents have attempted in their last three games, avoided ticky-tack fouls and tightened up defensively.

“We’re talking to each other, telling each other where the screens are, staying more focused and staying longer in a defensive stance,” freshman guard Angelo Johnson said. “That’s really been good for us.”

Floyd said the Trojans must duplicate the success they had taking smart shots during victories over scrappy San Diego and Miami of Ohio teams to defeat Southern Illinois.

“What bothers them is someone that matches their discipline on the offensive end,” Floyd said of the Salukis.

“They would love for you to shoot it on one pass from 25 feet, and they’re going to go down and get one in the lane. That’s why they’re so successful.”

--

Three days after sophomore forward Kyle Austin injured his back during a fall in practice, Floyd said Austin’s injury “looks bad. He can’t bend over. . . . I don’t know when he’s going to be back.”

--

TONIGHT

vs. Southern Illinois, 8, ESPN2

Site -- Anaheim Convention Center.

Radio -- 710.

Records -- USC 4-1, Southern Illinois 3-0.

Update -- USC sophomore guard Daniel Hackett is shooting 63.6%, including 66.7% from three-point range. Freshman guard O.J. Mayo is averaging 23.6 points but has more turnovers (22) than assists (19).

--

ben.bolch@latimes.com