The USC Trojans fell short in an intense battle against their archrivals, the UCLA Bruins, losing 82-76 in front of a spirited home crowd. Despite a valiant effort, the Trojans couldn’t overcome a lack of production from key players and the physicality of their opponent.
“It’s simple. The objective is to win the game,” said USC head coach Eric Musselman, whose frustration was palpable in the postgame press conference. “Playing hard doesn’t count unless you come out on top.”
While the Trojans played with energy, they struggled to execute certain aspects of their game plan. USC aimed to draw fouls and capitalize at the free-throw line, a strategy designed to neutralize UCLA’s gritty, physical style. However, they managed just 19 free throw attempts-an anomaly for a team that has ranked among the nation’s best in this category over the past decade.
“I mean, look at the physicality,” Musselman said. “It’s baffling to me. Out of all these questions, the one I can’t figure out is how we only took 19 foul shots. That’s part of the game plan against UCLA. They’re grimy, dirty, and they get after you. We’ve got to do a better job drawing fouls.”
One bright spot for USC was the performance of forward Rashaun Agee, who delivered a career-high 21 points and added five rebounds. Musselman credited Agee for adapting his game, particularly in response to UCLA’s defensive pressure.
“We knew they were going to trap or hedge hard, so we told Rashaun to stop taking threes and focus on short rolls,” Musselman explained. “He was phenomenal tonight. He was one of the best rebounders in the country last year, and he’s really expanded his offensive game.”
Agee, who held his own against UCLA’s towering Aday Mara, acknowledged the heightened importance of the rivalry game. “This game means more,” he said. “A lot went into this one, especially with them being in the same conference. Coach emphasized how much history there is in this rivalry.”
While Agee shined, USC struggled to get production from their usual leaders. Desmond Claude, a player the team heavily relies on, had an off night, and Musselman emphasized the need for others to step up. Freshman Wesley Yates answered the call, contributing 19 points and showing flashes of his potential. “Wesley stepped up for us tonight,” Musselman said. “But we’re still searching and clawing to find ways to win. We’ll watch the film, make adjustments, and correct things.”
One area where the Trojans managed to stay competitive was from beyond the arc. They connected on 11 three-pointers, which Musselman said kept them in the game. “Without those threes, we’d have been down by a much larger margin,” he admitted.
Despite the loss, Musselman used the moment to send a message to potential recruits. “I hope anyone who came to tonight’s game or watched it on TV saw how hard this team battles,” he said. “It’s Year 1, and we’re competing. Imagine where we’ll be in five years. Hopefully, I’m still sitting here, and we’ve got a team playing in the Sweet 16.”
For the Trojans, the rivalry defeat was more than just another loss. It was a learning experience and a chance to regroup. Agee, who has started to settle into his role, expressed optimism for the team’s growth. “It’s a new team,” he said. “I didn’t fully understand how I could help us get better, but now I do.”
As the Trojans move forward, their focus remains on improving in every category. “This team can get better,” Yates said. “It’s not just about scoring. We’ve all got to find ways to contribute and improve.”
USC’s next challenge will be to bounce back and address the areas where they were exposed against UCLA, particularly their size disadvantage. Musselman made it clear that adjustments are on the way, and the Trojans remain determined to fight their way through the rest of the season.