USC looks for good NCAA seed but must halt mini-slump

It might seem odd that USC is projected as a seventh or eighth seed in the NCAA Touament, but the Trojans could still find themselves on the dreaded bubble if they do not halt their current mini-slump.

USC has lost three of its past four games, and while the Trojans (19-8, 8-6) are jockeying for a desirable NCAA seeding, they must secure a spot in the touament first.

“I think if they can pick up two more wins, or three out of four (to close out the regular season), it’s a good seeding position for them,” TV analyst and former college coach Steve Lavin said. “If they only get one of their last four, to rest peacefully before Selection Sunday, they will need to do some work in the Pac-12 Touament.”

Although coaches usually never look past the next game, USC coaches took an unusual step before last week’s games against Colorado and Utah by labeling them “must-win” games for NCAA seedings.

“The coaches said we must win for touament projections,” USC point guard Julian Jacobs said. “We just have to win out.”

That strategy backfired a bit last weekend when USC lost to Utah. The Trojans face a difficult road swing this week at Stanford and Califoia. Road teams have won only 31 percent of Pac-12 games this season and Cal is 7-0 in conference home games.

“If USC can split the last four games and finish 10-8 (in conference), they should pass the eye test with their quality wins and they will be in the NCAA Touament,” Lavin said. “With three more wins, they get a good seed. With two more, they should be OK. With one win, they might be sweating it out.”

The irony for USC is even with the coaches talking about NCAA seeds, just making the touament is a cause for celebration after the previous two years, when the Trojans won only five conference games.

“Definitely, it’s the first time for me,” USC forward Nikola Jovanovic said. “I’m really excited about it. We should be a six-to-10 seed.”

Lavin said the Trojans could be a preseason top 10 team next season with a strong NCAA Touament performance.

“USC’s a year ahead of schedule in terms of rebuilding process,” Lavin said. “They can continue this strong season by picking up a couple NCAA wins to set the table nicely for next year and could be a top 10 team next year in the preseason polls.”

Before worrying about next season, however, the Trojans must arrest their current slide. USC has failed to hit its scoring average (82.4 points) the past five games, and after retuing from the Bay Area, the Trojans host Oregon State and Oregon.

Advertisement

The Beavers are considered an NCAA Touament bubble team, while the Ducks might be the best team in the Pac-12. More troubling is the idea teams figured out the Trojans during the second half of the conference. That may provide a blueprint for a possible NCAA Touament opponent.

But the rigors of being in the Pac-12 this season could help teams on Selection Sunday.

“I think Pac-12 teams that go 9-9 and 10-8 should get in because the metrics and mathematics are really positive for the conference,” Lavin said. “Even an 8-10 Oregon State team would be on the board. In years past, that was more common for the Big East, Big Ten or even the SEC.

“I remember in (2011), UCo went 9-9 and finished in ninth place and won the national title.”

- - , .