7. USC Trojans (13-11, 6-5 Pac-12) LW: 3
Winners in three of its past four, USC had shown all the makings of a spoiler team in Las Vegas if it could sustain that momentum.
Like most opportunistic scenarios in the Pac-12, the Trojans couldn’t capitalize. Instead, they were swept at home by Utah and Colorado.
Against Utah, don’t let the 77-70 final fool you. The Utes led by as many as 23 points with 11:32 remaining. Credit USC for cutting the lead to seven with 2:34 to play, but this was a game dominated by coach Larry Krystkowiak’s team from the tip.
The Utes knocked down 11 3-pointers, receiving a team-high 15 points from Both Gach in addition to a Jayce Johnson double-double.
But the more frustrating loss of the weekend came at the hands of Colorado.
USC had two chances to take the lead in the final minute before a 69-65 loss gave CU its second Pac-12 road sweep in 31 chances. Sophomore guard McKinley Wright led the Buffaloes with 20 points.
A year ago, Trojans coach Andy Enfield called a ‘rub it in your face timeout’ late against Colorado with USC well ahead. While coach Tad Boyle didn’t reciprocate, tempers briefly flared between Boyle and Trojans assistant Jason Hart in the handshake line following the game.
The Trojans will look to get back on track when they face Stanford and California on the road.
– Pekale