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<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?><rss version="2.0" xmlns:content="http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/content/" xmlns:wfw="http://wellformedweb.org/CommentAPI/" xmlns:dc="http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/" xmlns:atom="http://www.w3.org/2005/Atom" xmlns:sy="http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/syndication/" xmlns:slash="http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/slash/" > <channel> <title>USC</title> <atom:link href="http://usc.blog.ocregister.com/feed/" rel="self" type="application/rss+xml" /> <link>http://usc.blog.ocregister.com</link> <description>The latest on USC, by the Orange County Register Sports staff</description> <lastBuildDate>Wed, 06 Feb 2013 17:48:17 +0000</lastBuildDate> <language>en-US</language> <sy:updatePeriod>hourly</sy:updatePeriod> <sy:updateFrequency>1</sy:updateFrequency> <generator>http://wordpress.org/?v=3.4.1</generator><xhtml:meta xmlns:xhtml="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" name="robots" content="noindex" /> <item> <title>Blog on the move; click for new link</title> <link>http://usc.blog.ocregister.com/2013/02/04/blog-on-the-move-click-for-new-link/113373/</link> <comments>http://usc.blog.ocregister.com/2013/02/04/blog-on-the-move-click-for-new-link/113373/#comments</comments> <pubDate>Mon, 04 Feb 2013 18:26:18 +0000</pubDate> <dc:creator>Rich Hammond</dc:creator> <category><![CDATA[Uncategorized]]></category> <guid isPermaLink="false">http://usc.ocregister.com/?p=113373</guid> <description><![CDATA[Hey everyone… The Register is transitioning all of its blogs to a new publishing system, so effective immediately, the USC blog will be available at a new URL. Please update any bookmarks you might have to the following… http://ocregister.com/blogs/usc Thanks much. You shouldn’t notice any difference in terms of reading or posting comments. If you [...]]]></description> <content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Hey everyone… The Register is transitioning all of its blogs to a new publishing system, so effective immediately, the USC blog will be available at a new URL. Please update any bookmarks you might have to the following…</p><p><a title="New USC blog location" href="http://www.ocregister.com/blogs/usc">http://ocregister.com/blogs/usc</a></p><p>Thanks much. You shouldn’t notice any difference in terms of reading or posting comments. If you do, please let me know. To kick things off, I’ve posted an extensive update on where things stand with USC recruiting going into signing day on Wednesday…</p>]]></content:encoded> <wfw:commentRss>http://usc.blog.ocregister.com/2013/02/04/blog-on-the-move-click-for-new-link/113373/feed/</wfw:commentRss> <slash:comments>0</slash:comments> </item> <item> <title>Barkley confident about himself and Kiffin</title> <link>http://usc.blog.ocregister.com/2013/02/01/barkley-confident-about-himself-and-kiffin/113370/</link> <comments>http://usc.blog.ocregister.com/2013/02/01/barkley-confident-about-himself-and-kiffin/113370/#comments</comments> <pubDate>Fri, 01 Feb 2013 21:25:08 +0000</pubDate> <dc:creator>Rich Hammond</dc:creator> <category><![CDATA[Football]]></category> <category><![CDATA[NFL draft]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Sun Bowl]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Lane Kiffin]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Matt Barkley]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Robert Woods]]></category> <guid isPermaLink="false">http://usc.ocregister.com/?p=113370</guid> <description><![CDATA[Matt Barkley wants fans to remember the Lane Kiffin of 2011. Not to mention the Matt Barkley of 2011. His USC career behind him, Barkley is preparing for the NFL Draft in April. He’s continuing rehab work on the shoulder he injured in a late-November loss to UCLA, but he’s also doing a bit of [...]]]></description> <content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><strong>Matt Barkley</strong> wants fans to remember the <strong>Lane Kiffin</strong> of 2011. Not to mention the Matt Barkley of 2011.</p><p>His USC career behind him, Barkley is preparing for the NFL Draft in April. He’s continuing rehab work on the shoulder he injured in a late-November loss to UCLA, but he’s also doing a bit of image rehabilitation in an attempt to convince scouts and coaches that his draft stock should be high.</p><p>“I haven’t lost any confidence in myself,’’ Barkley said Friday in a radio interview with Colin Cowherd. “I haven’t doubted my ability to play quarterback at the next level. Not once.’’</p><p>It’s been a complicated recent run for Barkley, who started his senior season as the Heisman Trophy favorite after a stellar 2011. Things unraveled in the second half of the 2012 season, as the Trojans lost six of their last seven games and Barkley finished with a career-high 15 interceptions and a sprained AC joint.</p><p>Some draft pundits have Barkley going as high as No. 7 in the draft. Others have him slipping out of the first round entirely. Much of Barkley’s short-term fate will be determined over the next two months.</p><p><span id="more-113370"></span></p><p>The NFL Scouting Combine will take place from Feb. 20-26 in Indianapolis. Barkley will attend, and participate in interviews with team executions plus various workouts, but said he hasn’t decided whether he will throw. Barkley injured his shoulder on Nov. 17 and didn’t play against Notre Dame or in the Sun Bowl.</p><p>Barkley said he would throw to fellow draft prospect <strong>Robert Woods</strong> at USC’s annual “Pro Day’’ on March 27, and seemed to be leaning toward not throwing at the Combine.</p><p>“It seems to be the trend not to, and I don’t feel like I have to,’’ Barkley said. “We’ll see, when the time gets closer. It will probably be more of a game-time decision as to whether I’m going to.’’</p><p>In the interview, Barkley also offered a solid defense of Kiffin, who came under fire after USC slid from being the preseason No. 1 team to an unranked 7-6 team. Barkley said he was confident that Kiffin, who will be entering his fourth season as USC coach, can secure his job with a strong 2013.</p><p>Asked about USC’s recent struggles under Kiffin, Barkley pointed toward the NCAA sanctions that reduced the number of USC’s scholarship players. Barkley said the Trojans, with fewer bodies, were impacted by tackling less in practice and having weakened depth.</p><p>“He’s handled a lot,’’ Barkley said of Kiffin. “He stepped into USC at a pretty tough time. He almost had to resurrect a program that (had been) at a peak. He comes in with all the sanctions, a new coach (with) a new school president and a new athletic director.</p><p>“He had to inspire a team during that, which he did. Two years ago, he inspired us and we had a great team. Last year was a little different circumstances, but he can still bring it back to where it needs to be.’’</p>]]></content:encoded> <wfw:commentRss>http://usc.blog.ocregister.com/2013/02/01/barkley-confident-about-himself-and-kiffin/113370/feed/</wfw:commentRss> <slash:comments>0</slash:comments> </item> <item> <title>USC basketball knocks off UCLA in overtime</title> <link>http://usc.blog.ocregister.com/2013/01/31/usc-basketball-knocks-off-ucla-in-overtime/113368/</link> <comments>http://usc.blog.ocregister.com/2013/01/31/usc-basketball-knocks-off-ucla-in-overtime/113368/#comments</comments> <pubDate>Thu, 31 Jan 2013 16:55:57 +0000</pubDate> <dc:creator>Rich Hammond</dc:creator> <category><![CDATA[Hoops]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Pac-12 Conference]]></category> <category><![CDATA[UCLA]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Aaron Fuller]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Ari Stewart]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Bob Cantu]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Dewayne Dedmon]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Eric Wise]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Jio Fontan]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Kevin O'Neill]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Omar Oraby]]></category> <guid isPermaLink="false">http://usc.ocregister.com/?p=113368</guid> <description><![CDATA[Is there any doubt that USC’s basketball team is better under interim Coach Bob Cantu than under his predecessor, Kevin O’Neill? It’s not that Cantu has moved mountains — the Trojans are 2-3 under his watch — but in many areas they have appeared to be a better-prepared, more-efficient team. Now, Cantu has a signature [...]]]></description> <content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><img class="aligncenter" src="http://images.onset.freedom.com/ocregister/article/mhh9s5-b781058017z.120130130224742000g0p1c9u0m.2.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="225" /></p><p>Is there any doubt that USC’s basketball team is better under interim Coach <strong>Bob Cantu</strong> than under his predecessor, <strong>Kevin O’Neill</strong>? It’s not that Cantu has moved mountains — the Trojans are 2-3 under his watch — but in many areas they have appeared to be a better-prepared, more-efficient team. Now, Cantu has a signature victory, as USC beat UCLA 75-71 in overtime Wednesday night at Pauley Pavilion.</p><p>Things are rarely easy or simple for USC basketball, so naturally the Trojans lost all of a 15-point second-half lead and needed an extra period to knock back the Bruins. There were a number of heroes for the Trojans, among them…</p><ul><li><strong>Aaron Fuller</strong> stepped up, after early foul trouble by <strong>Dewayne Dedmon</strong> and <strong>Omar Oraby</strong>, and had a fantastic first half. Fuller made his first six shots from the field and finished with 15 points and six rebounds (including four offensive rebounds) in 23 minutes. Fuller, who is shorter but has better hands and feet than USC’s other post players, allowed USC to attack the basket in a way they rarely have this season.</li><li><strong>Jio Fontan</strong> returned to the game with four fouls with six minutes remaining in regulation and played with tremendous poise. USC’s offense broke down when freshman walk-on Chass Bryan took over, but Fontan calmed things down and played the game’s final 11 minutes without a foul. And he played well. On the birthday of his father, George, Fontan totaled 15 points, six assists, four rebounds and only one turnover in 33 minutes.</li><li><strong>Eric Wise</strong>, playing something of a ”point-forward” role, had 12 points, 11 rebounds and five assists.</li><li><strong>Ari Stewart</strong>, once a forgotten member of O’Neill’s rotation, hit two huge free throws with 11.4 seconds remaining in overtime to push USC’s lead to three points. Stewart also had five rebounds and two blocked shots in 16 minutes.</li><li>Dedmon, who needed IV fluids before the game to overcome flu symptoms, picked up two early fouls but helped set the tone in the first minute of the second half with an alley-oop dunk.</li></ul><p>USC improved to 4-5 in the Pac-12 Conference and 9-13 overall. The Trojans don’t play again until next Thursday, when they host Washington State. Please click below for the Register’s recaps of last night’s game…</p><ul><li><strong>Game story:</strong> <a title="Trojans leave Bruins feeling ill in overtime" href="http://www.ocregister.com/sports/points-413961-game-bruins.html" target="_blank">Trojans leave Bruins feeling ill in overtime</a></li><li><strong>USC notebook:</strong> <a title="Little-used Stewart comes up big for USC" href="http://www.ocregister.com/sports/game-413972-stewart-trojans.html" target="_blank">Little-used Stewart comes up big for USC</a></li></ul><p>—–</p>]]></content:encoded> <wfw:commentRss>http://usc.blog.ocregister.com/2013/01/31/usc-basketball-knocks-off-ucla-in-overtime/113368/feed/</wfw:commentRss> <slash:comments>0</slash:comments> </item> <item> <title>USC’s Woolridge pays tribute to father</title> <link>http://usc.blog.ocregister.com/2013/01/30/uscs-woolridge-pays-tribute-to-father/113366/</link> <comments>http://usc.blog.ocregister.com/2013/01/30/uscs-woolridge-pays-tribute-to-father/113366/#comments</comments> <pubDate>Wed, 30 Jan 2013 17:15:31 +0000</pubDate> <dc:creator>Rich Hammond</dc:creator> <category><![CDATA[Hoops]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Pac-12 Conference]]></category> <category><![CDATA[UCLA]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Dewayne Dedmon]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Renaldo Woolridge]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Shabazz Muhammad]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Travis Wear]]></category> <guid isPermaLink="false">http://usc.ocregister.com/?p=113366</guid> <description><![CDATA[By any measure, it’s been a difficult year for USC basketball’s Renaldo Woolridge. His father, former NBA standout Orlando Woolridge, died last May of a heart ailment. Renaldo transferred to USC with hopes of being a big contributor in his fifth and final season of college basketball, but he has played a total of 60 [...]]]></description> <content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><img class="aligncenter" src="http://images.onset.freedom.com/ocregister/article/mheluw-b781056746z.120130129121605000ghk1c8oiu.2.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="225" /></p><p>By any measure, it’s been a difficult year for USC basketball’s Renaldo Woolridge. His father, former NBA standout Orlando Woolridge, died last May of a heart ailment. Renaldo transferred to USC with hopes of being a big contributor in his fifth and final season of college basketball, but he has played a total of 60 minutes in 21 games.</p><p>Woolridge is frustrated, but he’s also maintaining focus and keeping a positive, balanced perspective. Please check out his story in my Orange County Register feature today…</p><p><a title="Renaldo Woolridge feature" href="http://www.ocregister.com/sports/woolridge-413698-usc-renaldo.html" target="_blank">USC’s Woolridge embraces his legacy</a></p><p>USC takes on UCLA tonight (7 p.m., Pauley Pavilion, Pac-12 Network) but it’s unknown who exactly will play in the game. USC’s Dewayne Dedmon had flu symptoms yesterday and didn’t practice, and the same happened to UCLA’s leading scorer, Shabazz Muhammad. UCLA forward Travis Wear is also recovering from concussion symptoms. For more on tonight’s game, check out my USC basketball notebook…</p><p><a title="USC hoops notebook Jan. 30" href="http://www.ocregister.com/sports/usc-413757-cantu-better.html" target="_blank">USC hopes flu won’t bug big man</a></p><p>—–</p>]]></content:encoded> <wfw:commentRss>http://usc.blog.ocregister.com/2013/01/30/uscs-woolridge-pays-tribute-to-father/113366/feed/</wfw:commentRss> <slash:comments>0</slash:comments> </item> <item> <title>USC’s Dedmon questionable for UCLA game</title> <link>http://usc.blog.ocregister.com/2013/01/29/uscs-dedmon-questionable-for-ucla-game/113362/</link> <comments>http://usc.blog.ocregister.com/2013/01/29/uscs-dedmon-questionable-for-ucla-game/113362/#comments</comments> <pubDate>Tue, 29 Jan 2013 19:42:42 +0000</pubDate> <dc:creator>Rich Hammond</dc:creator> <category><![CDATA[Hoops]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Hoops injury updates]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Pac-12 Conference]]></category> <category><![CDATA[UCLA]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Bob Cantu]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Dewayne Dedmon]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Omar Oraby]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Shabazz Muhammad]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Travis Wear]]></category> <guid isPermaLink="false">http://usc.ocregister.com/?p=113362</guid> <description><![CDATA[USC forward Dewayne Dedmon has been hit by a severe case of flu symptoms this week, interim Coach Bob Cantu said Tuesday, and Dedmon’s status for Wednesday night’s game against UCLA is uncertain. Dedmon, a regular starter who is averaging 6.4 points and 7.0 rebounds this season, will not practice Tuesday, Cantu said. ”He hasn’t [...]]]></description> <content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>USC forward Dewayne Dedmon has been hit by a severe case of flu symptoms this week, interim Coach Bob Cantu said Tuesday, and Dedmon’s status for Wednesday night’s game against UCLA is uncertain.</p><p>Dedmon, a regular starter who is averaging 6.4 points and 7.0 rebounds this season, will not practice Tuesday, Cantu said.</p><p>”He hasn’t even been out of bed, so I’m not certain what his status is going to be,” Cantu said. ”We’re hoping to get him going.”</p><p>If Dedmon, a 7-foot junior, is unable to play, he would likely be replaced in the starting lineup by fellow 7-footer (and occasional starter) Omar Oraby. Cantu said no other USC players are suffering from significant illness.</p><p>The Trojans (8-13, 3-5) play at UCLA on Wednesday, and had hoped that their size advantage might be a strength over the shorthanded Bruins. Shabazz Muhammad, UCLA’s leading scorer, is suffering from a stomach illness and Travis Wear’s availability is in question because of concussion symptoms.</p><p>—–</p>]]></content:encoded> <wfw:commentRss>http://usc.blog.ocregister.com/2013/01/29/uscs-dedmon-questionable-for-ucla-game/113362/feed/</wfw:commentRss> <slash:comments>0</slash:comments> </item> <item> <title>Bigelow joins USC’s early-enrollment group</title> <link>http://usc.blog.ocregister.com/2013/01/25/bigelow-joins-uscs-early-enrollment-group/113355/</link> <comments>http://usc.blog.ocregister.com/2013/01/25/bigelow-joins-uscs-early-enrollment-group/113355/#comments</comments> <pubDate>Sat, 26 Jan 2013 00:55:12 +0000</pubDate> <dc:creator>Rich Hammond</dc:creator> <category><![CDATA[Football]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Football recruiting]]></category> <guid isPermaLink="false">http://usc.ocregister.com/?p=113355</guid> <description><![CDATA[USC got some great recruiting news Friday when Kenny Bigelow, considered the top prep defensive tackle in the country, learned that he had been cleared to enroll in classes this semester. Bigelow, a 6-foot-3, 295-pound native of Elkton, Md., is one of seven players who has enrolled at USC for the spring semester and will [...]]]></description> <content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>USC got some great recruiting news Friday when <strong>Kenny Bigelow</strong>, considered the top prep defensive tackle in the country, learned that he had been cleared to enroll in classes this semester.</p><p>Bigelow, a 6-foot-3, 295-pound native of Elkton, Md., is one of seven players who has enrolled at USC for the spring semester and will be eligible to participate in spring practice in March and April.</p><p>The other six members of the early-enrollment group — including quarterback <strong>Max Browne</strong>, running back <strong>Justin Davi</strong>s and defensive backs <strong>Su’a Cravens</strong>, <strong>Chris Hawkins</strong> and <strong>Leon McQuay III</strong> — started classes two weeks ago. Receiver <strong>Darreus Rogers</strong> is also considered a part of the early-enrollment group. Rogers graduated high school in 2012 but was not academically cleared to enroll at USC last fall. He participated in some bowl practices in December.</p><p>In a statement, Coach <strong>Lane Kiffin</strong> said, ”We are excited to welcome these student-athletes to USC and have them get a jump on preparing for the 2013 season. I can’t imagine a better collection of players to ever have joined a program mid-year. It speaks volumes of the power of USC that four of the best players from the state of California and a trio of five-star out-of-state players chose to come here.”</p><p>Bigelow, Browne (from Washington), Cravens and McQuay III (from Florida) are rated as five-star players by Rivals.com</p><p>In advance of the Feb. 6 national signing day, USC has also received non-binding verbal commitments from seven others players: offensive lineman <strong>Nico Falah</strong>, linebacker <strong>Michael Hutchings</strong>, running back <strong>Ty Isaac</strong>, receiver <strong>Steven Mitchell</strong>, defensive end <strong>Torrodney Prevot</strong>, defensive back <strong>Jalen Ramsey</strong> and offensive lineman <strong>Khaliel Rodgers</strong>. It’s been an up-and-down recruiting season for USC, which by far has the nation’s most ”star”-studded class, in terms of average rating, but has also had six players decommit for various reasons since November.</p><p>—–</p>]]></content:encoded> <wfw:commentRss>http://usc.blog.ocregister.com/2013/01/25/bigelow-joins-uscs-early-enrollment-group/113355/feed/</wfw:commentRss> <slash:comments>0</slash:comments> </item> <item> <title>Make-or-break week for USC basketball</title> <link>http://usc.blog.ocregister.com/2013/01/24/make-or-break-week-for-usc-basketball/113350/</link> <comments>http://usc.blog.ocregister.com/2013/01/24/make-or-break-week-for-usc-basketball/113350/#comments</comments> <pubDate>Thu, 24 Jan 2013 21:00:23 +0000</pubDate> <dc:creator>Rich Hammond</dc:creator> <category><![CDATA[Arizona]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Arizona State]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Hoops]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Oregon]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Oregon State]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Pac-12 Conference]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Pac-12 Networks]]></category> <category><![CDATA[UCLA]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Bob Cantu]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Byron Wesley]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Eric Wise]]></category> <category><![CDATA[J.T. Terrell]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Kevin O'Neill]]></category> <guid isPermaLink="false">http://usc.ocregister.com/?p=113350</guid> <description><![CDATA[This has the feel of a make-or-break week for USC’s basketball team, which has road games against three top Pac-12 Conference teams: Arizona State (tonight), Arizona (Saturday) and UCLA (next Wednesday). The Trojans (8-11, 3-3) are heading into their second weekend of games under interim Coach Bob Cantu, who took over for Kevin O’Neill last [...]]]></description> <content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>This has the feel of a make-or-break week for USC’s basketball team, which has road games against three top Pac-12 Conference teams: Arizona State (tonight), Arizona (Saturday) and UCLA (next Wednesday).</p><p>The Trojans (8-11, 3-3) are heading into their second weekend of games under interim Coach <strong>Bob Cantu</strong>, who took over for <strong>Kevin O’Neill</strong> last week. USC has shown subtle signs of improvement. The Trojans lost by two points to a strong Oregon team last week, then beat Oregon State.</p><p>Can the Trojans keep it going? It won’t be easy, against three teams that enter tonight’s game with a combined conference record of 12-4, but players such as <strong>Byron Wesley</strong> and <strong>J.T. Terrell</strong> seem to have new life under Cantu, the longtime assistant coach who is stressing more offensive freedom and aggressiveness.</p><p>Here’s a preview look at USC’s two upcoming games, followed by an interview with Cantu…</p><p><span id="more-113350"></span></p><p>—–</p><p><strong>TONIGHT at Arizona State</strong><br />Time/TV: 7:30 p.m., Pac-12 Network.<br />ASU (14-4, 3-2) update: The Sun Devils padded their record with a relatively soft nonconference schedule, then started Pac-12 play with solid victories over Utah, Colorado and Oregon State but then suffered losses to Oregon and Arizona. The Wildcats beat the Sun Devils 71-54 on Saturday. Arizona State trailed that game by only three points at halftime, but talented point guard Jahii Carson got in foul trouble and the Sun Devils struggled without him. Carson finished with 22 points in 33 minutes, but the Sun Devils collectively shot only 39.1 percent from the field. Carson leads Arizona State with averages of 17.3 points and 5.2 assists per game. Versatile 6-foot-6 Carrick Felix averages 14.6 points and 7.9 rebounds.</p><p><strong>SATURDAY at Arizona</strong><br />Time/TV: 4 p.m., ESPNU.<br />Arizona (16-1, 4-1) update: The Wildcats, ranked No. 6 in this week’s AP poll, have a huge game tonight against conference co-leader UCLA. Turnovers have been a problem for USC at times this season, and could be an issue against Arizona. Last Saturday, the Wildcats forced 17 turnovers against Arizona State. Solomon HIll is a multi-purpose threat for Arizona. He averages 13.6 points and 5.4 rebounds per game and is shooting 46.5 percent from the field and 43.5 percent from 3-point range. Mark Lyons leads the Wildcats with an average of 15.2 points per game. USC’s last victory against Arizona came on Feb. 24, 2011, when the Trojans upset the No. 10 Wildcats 65-57 at Galen Center.</p><p>—–</p><p><strong>COACH BOB CANTU</strong></p><p>(on the team’s attitude…)<br />CANTU: “I think the guys are optimistic. We had a great practice (Tuesday), probably the best practice we’ve had since I’ve taken over, and our focus is just playing hard and competing. When you go on the road, you’ve got to play better. You have to execute. You have to play with poise. You’ve got to be able to play through the home team’s runs and, most importantly, you’ve got to be able to defend. If we can do that, it will put us in a position to have a chance. We’ve been trying to take it in four-minute increments at a time.’’</p><p>(on the team’s improvement from the Oregon game to the Oregon State game…)<br />CANTU: “I did notice that. The first thing I told the guys was, `If you’re open and you have a good shot, take it. If you miss it, get back on defense. If you make a mistake, don’t make one on the other end.’ We’re just trying to get them to play with a little more freedom within structure. Freedom within structure is important, because you don’t want to take bad shots that lead to other teams getting good shots. But I also want guys to take shots within the flow, and let them do what we recruited them to do. I want to attack. Guys like Byron Wesley are very, very good at that. Eric Wise, J.T., Jio have been really consistent in these last two games. But every game, as you know, kind of presents different situations. Some teams have particularly good point guards, or post players. We just played two teams that were playing a lot of zone, and a lot of changing defenses. I think, in the next three games, we’ll probably see a lot more man-to-man, with a little bit of zone. But I definitely feel that, in practice, we were playing with a better force behind us, and more pace. In doing that, you also have to be smart and take care of the basketball. You’ve got to end up somewhere in the middle.’’</p><p>(on whether the team has avoided the flu bug going around…)<br />CANTU: “We’re fine. Chass Bryan was a little under the weather, but he’s fine. We’ll try to keep everybody healthy, but I know it’s going around.’’</p><p>(on whether he will stay with the same player rotation or whether it will evolve…)<br />CANTU: “I think it does evolve. Like I said before, different games present different situations, whether it’s foul trouble, style of play, how we’re defending a team. Depending on that, different guys will get different minutes. When Omar and Dewayne get two fouls, then JB [James Blascyzk] comes in, and he did well with his minutes (against Oregon State). Then, if guys are playing well, there aren’t many minutes on the perimeter. It just depends. I’m open to playing as many guys as necessary for us to be productive, but there are also only so many minutes to go around.’’</p>]]></content:encoded> <wfw:commentRss>http://usc.blog.ocregister.com/2013/01/24/make-or-break-week-for-usc-basketball/113350/feed/</wfw:commentRss> <slash:comments>0</slash:comments> </item> <item> <title>Kiffin cuts loose USC assistant Sanders</title> <link>http://usc.blog.ocregister.com/2013/01/24/kiffin-cuts-loose-usc-assistant-sanders/113341/</link> <comments>http://usc.blog.ocregister.com/2013/01/24/kiffin-cuts-loose-usc-assistant-sanders/113341/#comments</comments> <pubDate>Thu, 24 Jan 2013 18:58:55 +0000</pubDate> <dc:creator>Rich Hammond</dc:creator> <category><![CDATA[Football]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Football recruiting]]></category> <category><![CDATA[NFL draft]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Pac-12 Conference]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Chris Hawkins]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Clancy Pendergast]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Jalen Ramsey]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Jawanza Starling]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Lane Kiffin]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Leon McQuay III]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Marvin Sanders]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Nickell Robey]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Scottie Hazelton]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Su'a Cravens]]></category> <category><![CDATA[T.J. McDonald]]></category> <guid isPermaLink="false">http://usc.ocregister.com/?p=113341</guid> <description><![CDATA[The shakeup on USC’s defensive coaching staff continued Thursday with the firing of secondary coach Marvin Sanders, who spent less than a year on the staff. Clancy Pendergast, hired last week as USC’s new defensive coordinator, will also serve as the position coach for the defensive backs in 2013, Coach Lane Kiffin said in a [...]]]></description> <content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>The shakeup on USC’s defensive coaching staff continued Thursday with the firing of secondary coach <strong>Marvin Sanders</strong>, who spent less than a year on the staff.</p><p><strong>Clancy Pendergast</strong>, hired last week as USC’s new defensive coordinator, will also serve as the position coach for the defensive backs in 2013, Coach <strong>Lane Kiffin</strong> said in a statement. Pendergast has not been available for comment since his hiring.</p><p>Kiffin’s statement read, ”We wish Marvin Sanders and his family the best of luck. Marvin did a great job for us coaching our secondary and in recruiting. But with the hiring of Clancy Pendergast as our defensive coordinator, we decided to go in a different direction based on Clancy’s desire to oversee the defensive backs unit.”</p><p>Sanders, 45, joined USC’s staff last February after a three-season run as secondary coach at Nebraska. In 2012, USC ranked fifth in the Pac-12 Conference in pass defense and allowed an average of 236.6 passing yards per game. In 2011, the Trojans ranked eighth in the conference in pass defense (276.0 yards per game).</p><p>USC might have the potential to hire two assistant coaches. USC linebackers coach <strong>Scottie Hazelton</strong> will reportedly become defensive coordinator at Nevada when new Coach <strong>Brian Polian</strong> announces his full staff. Kiffin, under some criticism to relinquish play-calling duties, now has the room on staff to hire another offensive assistant, if he desires.</p><p>The move comes 13 days before national signing day for high school recruits. Three defensive backs — <strong>Su’a Cravens</strong>, <strong>Chris Hawkins</strong> and <strong>Leon McQuay III</strong> — are already taking classes at USC as part of the early-enrollment group, and the Trojans are also trying to hold onto top cornerback recruit <strong>Jalen Ramsey</strong>.</p><p>Pendergast will take charge of a rebuild secondary. Both of USC’s 2012 starting safeties (<strong>T.J. McDonald</strong> and <strong>Jawanza Starling</strong>) are departing seniors, and top cornerback <strong>Nickell Robey</strong> announced this month that he would skip his senior season and declare for the NFL Draft.</p><p>—–</p>]]></content:encoded> <wfw:commentRss>http://usc.blog.ocregister.com/2013/01/24/kiffin-cuts-loose-usc-assistant-sanders/113341/feed/</wfw:commentRss> <slash:comments>0</slash:comments> </item> <item> <title>Another recruit drops USC committment</title> <link>http://usc.blog.ocregister.com/2013/01/22/another-recruit-drops-usc-committment/113337/</link> <comments>http://usc.blog.ocregister.com/2013/01/22/another-recruit-drops-usc-committment/113337/#comments</comments> <pubDate>Wed, 23 Jan 2013 00:32:10 +0000</pubDate> <dc:creator>Rich Hammond</dc:creator> <category><![CDATA[Football]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Football recruiting]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Eddie Vanderdoes]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Eldridge Massington]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Jason Hatcher]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Kylie Fitts]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Max Redfield]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Sebastian LaRue]]></category> <guid isPermaLink="false">http://usc.ocregister.com/?p=113337</guid> <description><![CDATA[Four-star defensive end Jason Hatcher, who gave USC a non-binding verbal commitment in late July, announced on Twitter today that he had de-committed and re-opened his recruitment just 15 days before signing day. Hatcher became the sixth USC recruit to announce a de-commitment since early November for various reasons, after receivers Sebastian LaRue and Eldridge [...]]]></description> <content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Four-star defensive end <strong>Jason Hatcher</strong>, who gave USC a non-binding verbal commitment in late July, announced on Twitter today that he had de-committed and re-opened his recruitment just 15 days before signing day.</p><p>Hatcher became the sixth USC recruit to announce a de-commitment since early November for various reasons, after receivers <strong>Sebastian LaRue</strong> and <strong>Eldridge Massington</strong>, defensive back <strong>Max Redfield</strong> and defensive linemen <strong>Kylie Fitts</strong> and <strong>Eddie Vanderdoes</strong>. Fitts and Vanderdoes are still considering USC.</p><p>Hatcher, a 6-foot-2, 240-pound defensive end from Louisville, was ranked by Rivals.com this week as the No. 7 weakside defensive end in the country and the No. 221 prospect overall.</p><p>USC’s recruiting class now has only 13 players, with signing day approaching on Feb. 6. Before Hatcher de-committed, Rivals had USC ranked as the No. 7 recruiting class in the country.</p><p>—–</p>]]></content:encoded> <wfw:commentRss>http://usc.blog.ocregister.com/2013/01/22/another-recruit-drops-usc-committment/113337/feed/</wfw:commentRss> <slash:comments>0</slash:comments> </item> <item> <title>USC dominates top of Rivals list</title> <link>http://usc.blog.ocregister.com/2013/01/21/usc-dominates-top-of-rivals-list/113333/</link> <comments>http://usc.blog.ocregister.com/2013/01/21/usc-dominates-top-of-rivals-list/113333/#comments</comments> <pubDate>Mon, 21 Jan 2013 22:53:30 +0000</pubDate> <dc:creator>Rich Hammond</dc:creator> <category><![CDATA[Alabama]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Florida]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Football]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Football recruiting]]></category> <category><![CDATA[LSU]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Notre Dame]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Ohio State]]></category> <category><![CDATA[UCLA]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Chris Hawkins]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Eddie Vanderdoes]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Jalen Ramsey]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Jason Hatcher]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Justin Davis]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Kenny Bigelow]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Khaliel Rodgers]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Leon McQuay III]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Matthew Thomas]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Max Browne]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Michael Hutchings]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Nico Falah]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Steven Mitchell]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Su'a Cravens]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Torrodney Prevot]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Ty Isaac]]></category> <guid isPermaLink="false">http://usc.ocregister.com/?p=113333</guid> <description><![CDATA[The football recruiting season never really ends, but the class of 2013 will sign in less than three weeks, and once again USC is expected to pull in an impressive haul. Recruiting website Rivals.com released its final rankings today, and USC has secured non-binding verbal commitments from four of the top 12 players and 11 [...]]]></description> <content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>The football recruiting season never really ends, but the class of 2013 will sign in less than three weeks, and once again USC is expected to pull in an impressive haul. Recruiting website Rivals.com released its final rankings today, and USC has secured non-binding verbal commitments from four of the top 12 players and 11 of the top 1oo. Here’s the list, with overall ranking, name, position and the Rivals ranking within that position:</p><p>6. Kenny Bigelow — DT (1)<br />7. Max Browne — QB (1)<br />10. Jalen Ramsey — DB (3)<br />12. Su’a Cravens — DB (4)<br />22. Leon McQuay III — DB (6)<br />27. Ty Isaac — RB (4)<br />34. Chris Hawkins — DB (9)<br />51. Khaliel Rodgers — OL (5)<br />54. Steven Mitchell — WR (6)<br />62. Justin Davis — RB (11)<br />94. Michael Hutchings — LB (8)</p><p>USC also has commitments from offensive lineman Nico Falah and defensive linemen Torrodney Prevot and Jason Hatcher, all of whom are ranked in the top 20 at their respective positions. USC also remains in consideration for two top uncommitted prospects: linebacker Matthew Thomas (No. 15 overall) and defensive tackle Eddie Vanderdoes (No. 21 overall), who had previously been a USC commit but is still considering the Trojans.</p><p>This is all subjective, of course, but Rivals has USC ranked as the No. 7 overall class. That would be higher, if not the for the fact that the Trojans have fewer commitments than other top schools because of NCAA-sanctioned limitations. USC has secured commitments from six ”five-star” players. No other school has more than three (Notre Dame). USC’s recruiting class also has an average star-rating of 4.43, highest in the country. Notre Dame is second, at 3.86. Per Rivals, Florida has the country’s top recruiting class, followed by Notre Dame, Alabama, Ohio State, LSU, Michigan and USC. UCLA is ranked No. 11.</p><p>—–</p>]]></content:encoded> <wfw:commentRss>http://usc.blog.ocregister.com/2013/01/21/usc-dominates-top-of-rivals-list/113333/feed/</wfw:commentRss> <slash:comments>0</slash:comments> </item> </channel></rss>If you would like to create a banner that links to this page (i.e. this validation result), do the following:
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