Desmond Claude got here crashing all the way down to the hardwood, his proper knee caught awkwardly in a collision, with the entire of Galen Heart holding its breath. For USC, with its event hopes ever tentative, there have been few extra troubling sights than this one: Their main scorer and ground common crumpled in a heap on the baseline, clutching his knee.
Someway, Claude would miss solely 5 minutes, reemerging from the locker room with solely a slight limp, decided to struggle by means of the ache at no matter price. It was a becoming picture for what occurred the remainder of the way in which, as USC fought by means of a day gauntlet to take down No. 7 Michigan State, 70-64, in what was unquestionably the most important victory up to now for brand spanking new coach Eric Musselman.
Not solely does it mark USC’s second win over a top-20 staff previously month, however the win can be the Trojans’ second Large Ten victory at residence, the place they’ve struggled for the reason that begin of Large Ten Convention play.
It will take a brave efficiency from Claude, who shook off an aching knee to attain 19 factors, and gutsy efforts from its different two beginning guards, Chibuzo Agbo and Wesley Yates III, who mixed for 29.
USC really led from begin to end Saturday, however at each flip, Michigan State threatened to climb again, a number of instances reducing the result in a single bucket.
Only a few days earlier, after USC’s fourth Large Ten loss at residence in 5 tries, Agee recommended that the Trojans had been “a little bit too relaxed” beginning video games contained in the pleasant confines of Galen Heart. In the meantime, on the street, USC was 3-1 in its new convention, with a marquee 82-72 win over then No. 13 Illinois already on its resume.
But there have been no such issues on Saturday, as USC was stifling from the beginning, efficiently fronting the submit and clamping down on the inside. Inside seven minutes, USC had soared to a 15-point lead, whereas Michigan State struggled to search out any semblance of rhythm.
Claude can be the catalyst to that scorching begin, days after Musselman made clear that his main scorer wanted to be extra aggressive with the ball. He took that recommendation to coronary heart Saturday, knifing by means of the lane and attacking the rim early and infrequently. He scored 11 of USC’s first 22 factors, wanting nicely on his strategy to a profession day.
Michigan State guard Jeremy Fears Jr., heart, steals the ball from USC guard Desmond Claude, proper, as ahead Josh Cohen watches throughout the first half.
(Mark J. Terrill / Related Press)
Then, halfway by means of the primary half, Claude chased down a Spartans fastbreak, lifted as much as block the layup and fell awkwardly on his knee. Wincing with ache, he left for the locker room, unable to place any weight on his proper leg.
Michigan State would climb again in brief order, reducing what was as soon as a 15-point result in only a single possession.
Claude would return ultimately, and so would the stifling protection. The Spartans would nonetheless attempt to scratch and claw there manner again from there, but it surely was the Trojans who have been nonetheless standing as the ultimate seconds ticked away, with one other crucial win in hand.