This question hangs uncomfortably in the air after another win has fallen to its strings, another home crowd left dejected, another opportunity lost.
If not now, when?
USC’s latest opportunity came Saturday at the Galen Center, a contest against No. 12 Nebraska giving the Trojans a platform to make a statement against a nationally ranked team.
If not now, when?
The Trojans took a five-point lead early in the second half before folding amid an injury to Chad Baker-Mazara. It marked the fifth consecutive defeat of the season.
If not now, when?
This game ended in a similar fashion to previous home losses to nationally ranked Purdue and Illinois.
“We had some chances, and we didn’t play very well at home,” USC coach Eric Musselman said after his team’s 82-67 loss to the Cornhuskers. “You know, we’re a better road team, which is different.”
What are they like on neutral sites?
Given the circumstances, USC may only have one chance to make the NCAA Tournament, and it won’t be on the road against Washington or at home against UCLA.
No, the Trojans’ only remaining hope of playing in the postseason tournament that matters will come in two weeks at the Big Ten Tournament in Chicago.
It will likely take a dramatic run — making the tournament game at the very least, and possibly winning the whole thing — for USC (18-11, 7-11 Big Ten) to qualify for its first NCAA Tournament under Musselman.
That would require winning five games in as many days, which is nearly impossible since the Trojans travel to the United Center from Los Angeles. They say they have not given up as the calendar turns to March.
“The season isn’t over yet,” forward Terrance Williams II said. “Two games (in the regular season). One Big Ten Tournament game, that’s all we’re promised right now. We can change the course of the season very quickly.”
To make their bid seem unlikely, they may have to find a way to reverse their fortunes without their top two goal scorers. Baker-Mazara suffered a leg injury early in the second half on Saturday before joining injured teammate Rodney Rice in the base seats near the team’s bench.
Musselman declined to disclose the details of Baker-Mazara’s injury unless his star player told the coaches that he would not be returning. If that remains the case for the next two weeks, the lasting image of him in a USC uniform will be his limp in the postgame handshake line.
The Trojans didn’t have enough offense without Baker-Mazara. The other four starters combined for 23 points. Guard Alijah Arenas, who was coming off the bench for the first time this season, didn’t get going until his team was in the lead, scoring 14 points in the final 13:20 of the game.
Forward Jaden Brownell was another good off the bench with 10 points and a team-best five rebounds, but the lackluster performances of starters Ezra Ausar, Williams and Jacob Cofie — who combined for 11 points — let the Trojans down.
“I mean, I wish it was more productive,” Musselman said when asked how others stepped up after Baker-Mazara’s death. “Look, we didn’t play very well – we didn’t rebound the ball.”
The more upswing, 41-25, was the catalyst early in the second half after USC put together its strongest half of the season to take a 36-31 lead.
“The first few outfits, you can see,” Williams said. “They wanted it more than us, we didn’t come out and play hard.
Musselman said his team’s effort in the first half is a testament to their continued belief in the end of the season despite losing four times before Saturday.
Referring to Oregon’s recent resurgence with Nate Bittle back on the roster, Musselman said personnel means success. Of course, getting Baker-Mazara back is the first step toward any kind of postseason surgery as USC prepares for its final regular season games.
“Well, we have to prepare to go to Washington,” said Musselman. “I don’t know what else to say.”
There is nothing more to say. Either the Trojans start winning or the last two weeks will be similarly disappointing.
If not now, when?
