Over the course of USC’s undefeated start, with its star freshman still out, its leading scorer nursing an ailing shoulder and one of its best defenders down because of an injured hip, coach Eric Musselman had still managed to make the best of his ravaged USC roster.
USC had won eight straight through its nonconference slate. It swept through the Maui Invitational, beating three real teams in the process. With every punch, the Trojans had been ready to punch back.
Then came Saturday, when a former Trojan would deliver the knockout blow in the Big Ten opener, ending USC’s undefeated start in the most painful fashion possible in an 84-76 loss to Washington.