The USC men’s basketball team is repeatedly having to find its identity. And with three players out due to injury, head coach Eric Musselman wants more from his team.
“You never want players to take advantage of a role because the bench is thinner,” he told reporters after beating San Diego on Tuesday. “And I think we’re getting into a comfort zone right now with guys just knowing they’re going to get minutes because there’s nowhere else to turn.”
Freshman guard Alijah Arenas, junior guard Rodney Rice and senior guard Amarion Dickerson are all dealing with injuries. The lineups and production have been unpredictable, and Sunday’s nonconference game against former Pac-12 foe Washington State (3-7) will be no exception.
Dartmouth transfer guard Ryan Cornish started for the first time this season against San Diego and played a season-high 20 minutes for the Trojans (9-1). Terrence Williams II and Jordan Marsh, who had started in previous games, both came off the bench.
“We need to get something out of all five starters,” Musselman said. “We felt like Ryan had the right mentality. We felt like Ryan would move the ball. And then defensively, again, tonight he took a couple charges and he’s given us a little bit of defensive intensity and toughness that I thought we needed.”
Williams, the only returning Trojan, hasn’t scored in the past three games. Marsh’s offensive production has wavered. He contributed a season-high 17 points in the Dec. 6 loss to Washington but has also been held scoreless in three games this season.
Chad Baker-Mazara continues to be the Trojans’ most consistent player this season and became the first player since 2013 to score 20 or more points in four straight games when he chipped in 31 points against San Diego.
“His shot selection has been good,” Musselman said. “He’ll take super difficult shots that look kind of crazy. But for CBM, they’re pretty decent shots. And they look kind of wacko. And then we’re putting him in a lot of pick and rolls.”
Baker-Mazara’s ability to play at the point has benefited USC. He took the lead at the position during the Trojans’ two exhibition games and has moved back into the role as Musselman develops the roster without the injured players.
Musselman also lauded the competitive nature of the 6-foot-7 Auburn transfer.
“Maybe because of his age, but I feel super comfortable with him,” Musselman said of Baker-Mazara, who turns 26 next month. “We do talk a lot off the floor and then I know when he’s going to go off the rails a little bit and you’ve just gotta try to get him back in. Anybody that’s been around him or has coached him knows that he’s a competitive tough guy who’s willing to take big shots.”
Washington State is entering Sunday’s game on a four-game losing streak, most recently falling 78-64 to Nevada.
“We’ve got a bunch of new guys that are learning how we do things and the reality is, when you play on this level, you’ve got to learn every way to lose until you’re allowed to go win it,” second-year Cougars head coach David Riley told reporters after the loss.
Ace Glass is leading the Cougars in scoring with 16.6 points per game. The guard broke the Cougars’ freshman scoring record when he put up 40 points against Arizona State on Nov. 25 in the Maui Invitational. He’s also shooting 49.5%.
Tómas Thrastarson missed the Cougars’ Nov. 19 game against Southern Utah due to an undisclosed injury, but it hasn’t stopped him from being a major contributor. The sophomore guard is averaging 1.04 points per game and 4.2 rebounds per game.
Washington State is turning the ball over 13.3 times a game and had 14 or more turnovers in each of its past three games.
“We’re hesitant and we’re not making the simple reads,” Riley said. “I think our assist numbers are pathetic. I don’t have a nice word to describe that. We’ve got to start moving the ball better, we’ve got to stop turning it over and we’ve got to play for each other.”
WASHINGTON STATE (3-7) at USC (9-1)
When: 4:30 p.m. Sunday
Where: Galen Center
TV/Radio: FS1/usctrojans.com/listen