OSU is a pretty good team , better than its record, and had the best SOS in the PAC-12. They also have Payton who killed us at Corvallis ealier. So what happened.
It always begins with defense with this USC team. USC made it more diffcult for Payton in the key, sometimes doubling down when he was there. And USC played well not allowing OSU any FTs in the first half. OSU had 4 consecutive 3 pointers aganst the USC matchup zone and the Trojans did change to more man to man which slowed them down. They were agressive on the boards and held their own when finally Boatwright pitched in. Why do we flub so much in the last few games? IMO USC needs to have 2 big bodies in the game at all times. Bennie is tall but needs to be more active on the boards when he is one of the 2 big bodies, not just pot shooting from the 3 point line. . Having Dorian Clark back is important. He isnt big but he is strong and can at least box out one of the opponents big men on rebounds.He contributed 5 points and 3 boards in 7 minutes , though missing 3 of 5 FTs (shoulder?).
USC was back to sharing the ball with 21 assists on their 30 baskets. And the three pointers opened up. Overall the team looked much more confident and they held the 20 point lead through the last 3 minutes of the game when Oregon State made a run, only theitr second of the game to end it with an 11 point difference, not indicative of the game flow. The win makes an NCAA appearance a done deal but beating Oregon would make it a higher seed by 2..
It was interesting to see that when holding a 20 point lead the sour or bored faces on many of the USC fans in the stand. Is this a common trait? This team has 20 wins and its not done yet.
It always begins with defense with this USC team. USC made it more diffcult for Payton in the key, sometimes doubling down when he was there. And USC played well not allowing OSU any FTs in the first half. OSU had 4 consecutive 3 pointers aganst the USC matchup zone and the Trojans did change to more man to man which slowed them down. They were agressive on the boards and held their own when finally Boatwright pitched in. Why do we flub so much in the last few games? IMO USC needs to have 2 big bodies in the game at all times. Bennie is tall but needs to be more active on the boards when he is one of the 2 big bodies, not just pot shooting from the 3 point line. . Having Dorian Clark back is important. He isnt big but he is strong and can at least box out one of the opponents big men on rebounds.He contributed 5 points and 3 boards in 7 minutes , though missing 3 of 5 FTs (shoulder?).
USC was back to sharing the ball with 21 assists on their 30 baskets. And the three pointers opened up. Overall the team looked much more confident and they held the 20 point lead through the last 3 minutes of the game when Oregon State made a run, only theitr second of the game to end it with an 11 point difference, not indicative of the game flow. The win makes an NCAA appearance a done deal but beating Oregon would make it a higher seed by 2..
It was interesting to see that when holding a 20 point lead the sour or bored faces on many of the USC fans in the stand. Is this a common trait? This team has 20 wins and its not done yet.
