Sooners present a big obstacle

Is what is what it was?

Apparently not for USC, which returns tonight to the scene of its Mercer meltdown brimming with confidence in the wake of five consecutive victories and a championship in the Anaheim Classic.

The Trojans showed during their winning streak that they could thrive against teams that like to push the ball (South Carolina) as well as those that prefer to grind it out in half-court sets (Miami of Ohio and Southern Illinois).

Now comes a bigger challenge -- literally -- in the form of an Oklahoma front line that includes 6-foot-11 center Longar Longar, 6-10 forward Blake Griffin and 6-6 guard Tony Crocker.

The Sooners also will bring 6-8 forward Keith Clark and 6-7 Taylor Griffin off the bench against No. 22 USC in the inaugural Big 12/Pac 10 Hardwood Series at the Galen Center.

No less an authority on Oklahoma basketball than Kelvin Sampson, the Indiana coach who used to guide the Sooners, told the USC coaching staff last summer that his former team possesses the best front line in the nation.

“They present a tremendous matchup problem for us because of size,” Trojans Coach Tim Floyd said.

“We’re going to have to play good, collective defense and try to keep the ball out of the post like we did in the last game.”

Oklahoma’s dimensions could force Floyd to go with a three-forward lineup featuring 6-9 Taj Gibson, 6-8 Davon Jefferson and 6-7 Kasey Cunningham, though USC would still give up several inches at two positions. Reserve forwards Keith Wilkinson and RouSean Cromwell could also figure prominently in the mix.

“We’re going to need a whole team effort, not just down low,” Gibson said. “We need guys help side, back side. It’s going to come as a team effort.”

Oklahoma’s primary strength has been a defense that is holding opponents to 34.6% shooting and 54 points a game.

Memphis, which was averaging 91 points before playing the Sooners, scored 28 points below its average in a 63-53 victory over Oklahoma earlier this month.

“You’re not getting easy put-back baskets, you’re not getting easy shots in the lane, and they get back well on defense so they don’t give up easy baskets there,” Floyd said. “Those three factors, I think, are keeping people from putting up huge numbers on them.”

USC has also tightened up defensively since allowing Mercer to shoot 59.4% during the Bears’ 96-81 victory; the Trojans have allowed their last five opponents to shoot only 35.5%.

Sophomore forward Kyle Austin said the MRI exam on his bothersome back scheduled for Tuesday was rescheduled for today. Austin has not played since falling during practice last Wednesday. . . . A moment of silence will be held Sunday before the Trojans’ game against Kansas in honor of Lou Galen, the philanthropist who along with his wife, Helene, gave a series of gifts totaling $50 million for the Galen Center. Galen died earlier this month.

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TONIGHT

vs. Oklahoma, FSN Prime Ticket, 8

Site -- Galen Center.

Radio -- 710.

Records -- USC 5-1, Oklahoma 5-1.

Update -- USC freshman guard O.J. Mayo is leading the Pacific 10 Conference in scoring, averaging 21.8 points.

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ben.bolch@latimes.com