November 13, 2024; Los Angeles, California, USA Southern California Trojans coach Eric Musselman reacts against the Texas-Arlington Mavericks at the Galen Center. Mandatory credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
USC wraps up its six-game season opener when it hosts a Grambling State team in the midst of a five-game road odyssey.
USC (4-1) rebounded from its first loss of the season, 71-66 on Nov. 17 against Cal, with an 82-68 loss at San Jose on Wednesday. Trojans head coach Eric Musselman rattled off the lineup in Wednesday’s game, which included Terrance Williams II and Chibuzo Agbo off the bench.
Both Williams and Agbo started each of their previous appearances for USC, but shined in their reserve roles with 20 points apiece.
“The whole coaching staff is very proud of how Terrance and Chibuzo handled it, which is what you want from seasoned veterans,” Musselman said. “I don’t think they could have handled it any better.”
The change in rotation in response to the Cal loss also saw USC regain the ball-movement-based offense that powered the Trojans in their first three wins. USC tallied at least 20 assists in each of the first three games, but had just 10 in last week’s loss.
Against San Jose State, the Trojans made 23 of 32 field goals unassisted, including nine by St. Thomas — bringing his season total to 30.
Grambling State (1-3) comes to Los Angeles playing the fourth road game of a five-game road trip and the first of three in California over the next four games. The Tigers travel to Cal Poly on Tuesday and Pepperdine on Dec. 7.
Grambling State’s western swing went to New Mexico on Thursday, where the Tigers lost 80-58. PJ Eason finished with 11 points and 10 rebounds in the loss, but Southwestern Athletic Conference Player of the Year Kintavious Dozier had just three points.
The Tigers will need production from Dozier, who averaged 13 points per game at top-seeded Grambling State in his first NCAA Tournament appearance a season ago. The Tigers led the SWAC preseason poll as the league favorite to return to the postseason.
“We’re going to prepare the same way we’ve done in years past. The only difference is there are more expectations, and with expectations comes a part of understanding that every moment is a little bit bigger,” Grambling State coach Donte’ Jackson. he told Fox 14 in Monroe, La. “The good thing is that we have the expectations. The other good thing is that we will be ready to compete.”
–Within field level
November 13, 2024; Los Angeles, California, USA Southern California Trojans coach Eric Musselman reacts against the Texas-Arlington Mavericks at the Galen Center. Mandatory credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images 
