USC makes a statement with upset of No. 7 Michigan State
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Desmond Claude came crashing to the hardwood, his right knee caught awkwardly in the collision and the whole of Galen Center holding its breath. For USC, and its tentative tournament hopes, there were few more troubling sights than this one: their leading scorer and floor general crumpled in a heap on the baseline, clutching a knee.
Somehow, Claude missed only five minutes, reemerging from the locker room with only a light limp, still intact, determined to fight through the pain at whatever the cost.
It was a fitting image for what happened the rest of the way Saturday, as USC fought through an afternoon gauntlet to take down No. 7 Michigan State, 70-64 in what was unquestionably the biggest victory yet for new coach Eric Musselman.
Not only does it mark USC’s second win over a top-25 team in the last month, but it’s the Trojans’ second Big Ten win at home, where they’ve struggled since the start of conference play.
For USC, Alijah Arenas’ commitment marks the biggest recruiting victory of the Musselman era, the first five-star prospect to endorse the coach’s vision in L.A.
It took a courageous performance from Claude, who shook off an aching knee to score 19 points, and gutsy efforts from USC’s other two starting guards, Chibuzo Agbo and Wesley Yates, who combined for 29.
USC led from start to finish. But at every turn, Michigan State threatened to climb back, several times cutting the lead to one score.
Just a few days earlier, after USC’s fourth Big Ten loss at home in five tries, forward Rashaun Agee suggested that the Trojans had been “a little too relaxed” starting games inside the friendly confines of Galen Center.
Meanwhile, on the road, USC was 3-1 in its new conference, with a marquee win over a top-25 team (Illinois) on its résumé.
But there were no such concerns Saturday, as USC was stifling from the start, successfully fronting the post and clamping down on the interior. Within seven minutes, USC had soared to a 15-point lead, while Michigan State struggled to find any semblance of rhythm.
Claude was the catalyst for that scorching start, days after Musselman made clear that his leading scorer needed to be more aggressive with the ball.
Claude took that advice to heart, knifing through the lane and attacking the rim early and often. He scored 11 of USC’s first 22 points, looking well on his way to a career day.
Then, midway through the first half, Claude chased down a fast break, lifted up to block the lay-in and fell awkwardly on his right knee.
Wincing with pain, he left for the locker room, unable to put any weight on his right leg.
With Kiki Iriafen leading the way, No. 4 USC women’s basketball didn’t let a rough shooting night for JuJu Watkins prevent it from getting its 15th straight win.
Michigan State climbed back in short order, cutting what was once a 15-point lead to just a single possession.
Claude returned eventually, and so did the stifling defense.
The Spartans tried to scratch and claw their way back from there. But it was the Trojans (13-8, 5-5) still standing as the final seconds ticked away, with another critical win in hand.
Go beyond the scoreboard
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