USC Basketball: Arizona Hands Trojans Third Straight Loss

Turns out USC kind of misses its starting backcourt.

Despite boasting one of the most highly-touted recruiting classes this season, your USC Trojans' 2023-24 has gone a bit off the rails.

A big part of this is the extended absence of freshman point guard Isaiah Collier, who is slated to miss 4-6 weeks with a hand injury incurred during the club's January 11th 72-64 loss against the Washington State Cougars. Collier underwent surgery last week to address the ailment.

The other major absence is Collier's starting backcourt colleague, fifth-year guard Boogie Ellis, who has now missed two straight contests with a hand injury of his own.

Most recently, on Wednesday night, USC suffered an 82-67 defeat against the Arizona Wildcats on the road in Tucson. Its their third consecutive defeat, and it's safe to say the club is now in a definitive slump, absent its two best players and top scorers.

The game was fairly even for most of the contest's first half amidst some uneven scoring from Arizona, but a 7-0 Wildcats run at the end of the second quarter helped put up Arizona 45-35 at the break. The Wildcats outscored the Trojans 37-32 in the second half, pulling away for the eventual 15-point W.

USC actually shot better, making 40% of its field goals to just 35% for Arizona.

With the defeat, the Trojans fall to an 8-10 record on the year (2-5 in the Pac-12). Arizona improves to 13-4 overall (4-2 in the Pac-12).

Arizona submitted an offensively diverse attack, with Caleb Love notching 20 points and Pelle Larsson logging 13. Senior forward Keshad Johnson logged a 10-point, 13-rebound double-double. Sophomore guard Kylan Boswell scored 11 points, while reserve sophomore guard Jaden Bradley also chipped in 10 points.

At least Bronny James rebounded from two straight scoreless nights in USC's prior two losses. Last night, amidst a chorus of fan boos, the 6'4" combo guard scored 11 points on 5-of-11 shooting from the floor and dished out six dimes.

A different son of an NBA Hall of Famer on the Trojans, however, led the club in scoring. DJ Rodman, son of five-time champ and two-time Defensive Player of the Year Dennis, notched 16 points on 6-of-10 shooting from the field.