A number of bubble teams won't sleep easy, especially with Southern California finally starting to play up to the potential that landed the team in the preseason Top 25. And doesn't it always seem to happen that way? A talented team underachieves during the regular season, but a light finally goes off during the conference tournament leading to a run to the dance.That is exactly what is happening to the Trojans, who moved one step closer to the NCAA tournament by knocking off crosstown rival UCLA.
But should the bubble teams be worried about USC winning the Pac-10 tournament?
Not exactly. The Trojans still need to win the tournament to get into the dance. USC does not have many quality non-conference wins. So it is win and in for the USC, otherwise get ready for Arizona in the NIT.
That, of course, is what makes USC dangerous in this situation. Arizona State is already in the tournament and this game isn't crucial to the Sun Devils. The Trojans played with a lot of intensity the Bruins didn't bring until the final minutes of the second half. DeMar DeRozan is playing absolutely brilliantly; he notched another double-double, even nailed a 3-point basket. And remember, he's already had some success against Arizona State.
However, the final minutes of Friday night's semifinal were rather disturbing. The Trojans allowed the Bruins to hang around too long because of poor foul shooting. USC matched the lacked of composure of its coach, Tim Floyd, and nearly gave that game away. Honestly, Floyd might want to do something with that hair. The disheveled look is endearing on Dennis the Menace. Not so much on a Division I coach.
USC needs to come out and dominate Arizona State early and hope that it quits. But after beating its crosstown rival, USC could be headed for a letdown, which would allow Arizona State to walk away with the tournament crown ... which would allow one of those bubble teams to sneak in instead.
