As we've mentioned earlier, the USC Trojans are still probably on the outside looking in right now despite their victory over Cal yesterday, as Joe Lunardi has him listed in his first four out in his latest bracketology. But they are at least still in the discussion, and they can really make a name for themselves if they end up in the Pac-10 Tournament Championship game tomorrow.
But first, they'd have to go through the Pac-10 regular season champion Arizona Wildcats.
Arizona gave USC trouble in their first matchup, winning 82-73 in Tucson while scorching the Trojan defense with 62% shooting and 10 three pointers. In the rematch in LA though, the Trojans stymied Derrick Williams and hounded the Wildcats to only 57 points. Nikola Vucevic and Alex Stepheson combined for 37 points and 22 rebounds while holding Williams to 8 points and Arizona to 36% shooting.
Hard to see how this game will turn out, but USC has to like the way they're playing and their ability to match up with their defensive length with Vucevic, Stepheson, and Pac-10 defensive player of the year Marcus Simmons. Moreover, USC has way more to play for than Arizona; the Wildcats are probably locked into a four/five seed regardless of how they perform this weekend, whereas the Trojans are playing to survive for March Madness.