"Over the course of USC' s undefeated start, with its star freshman still out, its leading scorer nursing an ailing shoulder and one of its best defenders down because of an injured hip, coach Eric Musselman still managed to make the best of his ravaged roster. USC had won eight straight, sweeping its nonconference slate and winning its Big Ten opener at Oregon. It swept through the Maui Invitational, beating three real teams in the process."
"USC led for all but six minutes and in the first half looked primed to run away with their second Big Ten win. But it all came unraveled in the final 10 minutes as Washington scored 24 of the last 30 points to stun USC. It was Desmond Claude, the Trojans' leading scorer last season, who would ultimately propel Washington to victory."
"The Trojans still led by 10 with those 10 minutes remaining, and after such a resounding start it seemed only a matter of time before they kicked back into gear. But they'd shoot just 25% in the second half, after making 50% in the first. Chad Baker-Mazara led USC with 21 points, but made only one of seven shots after halftime. Without him, the offense dried up in a hurry."
USC's eight-game undefeated start ended with an 84-76 loss to Washington in the Trojans' Big Ten home opener. The Trojans led for nearly the entire game and maintained a 10-point advantage with 10 minutes remaining. Washington scored 24 of the final 30 points, fueled by former USC leading scorer Desmond Claude, who finished with 22 points and hit a crucial lay-in with under a minute left. USC shot 50% in the first half but just 25% after halftime. Chad Baker-Mazara led USC with 21 points but made only one of seven shots after halftime, and the offense dwindled late.
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