No Reason for Recent Success
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Don’t ask USC players to explain the reversal of fortune--victories over Stanford, Washington and Washington State--that has given them hope for a berth in the National Invitation Tournament.
The Trojans still lack consistent offensive punch but turnovers are down and defense has kept them in games. Maybe freshmen such as Brandon Granville and Sam Clancy are finally comfortable with USC’s multiple defenses.
“I’m kind of afraid to ask why they’re picking it up,” Coach Henry Bibby said. “Let a sleeping dog lie.”
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Saturday’s victory over Washington State assured a winning regular-season record for a USC team that went 9-19 last season, but at least one player isn’t satisfied with that progress.
“We have to go to a tournament,” center Brian Scalabrine said. “If we just have a winning record, it’s not a step forward.”
Coming up: Thursday at Arizona, Saturday at Arizona State.
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