NCAA Basketball top 25 power rankings: UCLA and Kentucky rise, Kansas falls
By Joey Loose
21. USC (18-3)
A couple weeks ago, the Trojans were one of the final unbeaten teams in the nation before a rough week handed them their first two losses. At times, USC has looked like a team that can make some noise again in the postseason, but in recent weeks they seem way more beatable. Unfortunately, that was true of this past week for the Trojans, who couldn’t quite take care of business at home.
The week started well, with a big 78-56 win against Arizona State, with Drew Peterson’s 16 points and 8 rebounds leading the way in the win. The bad news came Thursday when the Trojans fell 64-61 to Stanford, who shot the ball very well from outside. Fortunately, the Trojans salvaged the week, coming back to knock off California 79-72 for their second win of the week, with 24 points from Isaiah Mobley.
That 8-3 mark in Pac-12 play would look a whole lot better if two of those losses weren’t against Stanford. The Trojans have yet to play Arizona or UCLA, their two legitimate contenders in the league, and still have some things to work on, especially with how their opponents have been succeeding from outside the arc. Next week they get that shot, with a road trip to Arizona State and Arizona offering a tough challenge for the Trojans.