The Trojans use a second half comeback to pull even in the Pac-12 at 5-5.
Click here for the game recap and final stats.
"Floor General"
Jio Fontan was supposed to be sick with the flu. He needed an IV this week, never practiced and did not even get out of bed on Tuesday. But when the lights came on tonight, he found the energy to play 36 minutes, dished out a USC career-high 11 assists and made 8-8 from the free throw stripe. "He played with tremendous heart and tremendous poise," said interim head coach Bob Cantu. Byron Wesley, who scored a season-high 20 points, made it clear that Fontan is the undisputed captain of this ship. "Jio is our floor general," he said. "Regardless, we're looking for Jio and he is our leader."
(Photo of Fontan by Mark Terrill/AP)
Spurtability
J.T. Terrell has a tendency to get into a funk when his shot is not falling, which led to him being buried on the bench in the first half of the season. But since Bob Cantu has taken over, he's shown faith in Terrell through good times and bad, and the streaky scorer rewarded him again tonight. After a scoreless first half beset with foul trouble, Terrell hit an individual 12-point burst after the break to turn around a seven-point deficit and put USC in a winning position. "That's what he does," said Cantu. "He's a scorer."
Going Small
USC has the luxury of three seven-footers, which is rare for an NBA team let alone a college squad. However, the Trojans have played their best ball over the last two games with a sized down front court of Eric Wise and Aaron Fuller. "A lot of our league is somewhat undersized, so we're having the tendency of matching up to them," said Cantu. "Going small makes it easier for us to defend a lot of their ball screens." Like Fontan, Fuller was not expected to contribute after his sprained ankle swelled up following the UCLA game. He gutted out a crucial 16 minutes, including the final 11 of the game, contributing 6 points (3/3 shooting) and 7 rebounds.
And 1...
"Be Aggressive"
Those were the halftime words of Bob Cantu after USC shot only two free throws in the first 20 minutes. The Trojans responded by shooting a whopping 20 free throws in the second half, and they made 18-22 for the game.
Click here for the game recap and final stats.
"Floor General"
Jio Fontan was supposed to be sick with the flu. He needed an IV this week, never practiced and did not even get out of bed on Tuesday. But when the lights came on tonight, he found the energy to play 36 minutes, dished out a USC career-high 11 assists and made 8-8 from the free throw stripe. "He played with tremendous heart and tremendous poise," said interim head coach Bob Cantu. Byron Wesley, who scored a season-high 20 points, made it clear that Fontan is the undisputed captain of this ship. "Jio is our floor general," he said. "Regardless, we're looking for Jio and he is our leader."(Photo of Fontan by Mark Terrill/AP)
Spurtability
J.T. Terrell has a tendency to get into a funk when his shot is not falling, which led to him being buried on the bench in the first half of the season. But since Bob Cantu has taken over, he's shown faith in Terrell through good times and bad, and the streaky scorer rewarded him again tonight. After a scoreless first half beset with foul trouble, Terrell hit an individual 12-point burst after the break to turn around a seven-point deficit and put USC in a winning position. "That's what he does," said Cantu. "He's a scorer."
Going Small
USC has the luxury of three seven-footers, which is rare for an NBA team let alone a college squad. However, the Trojans have played their best ball over the last two games with a sized down front court of Eric Wise and Aaron Fuller. "A lot of our league is somewhat undersized, so we're having the tendency of matching up to them," said Cantu. "Going small makes it easier for us to defend a lot of their ball screens." Like Fontan, Fuller was not expected to contribute after his sprained ankle swelled up following the UCLA game. He gutted out a crucial 16 minutes, including the final 11 of the game, contributing 6 points (3/3 shooting) and 7 rebounds.
And 1...
"Be Aggressive"
Those were the halftime words of Bob Cantu after USC shot only two free throws in the first 20 minutes. The Trojans responded by shooting a whopping 20 free throws in the second half, and they made 18-22 for the game.
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