USC’s NCAA hopes crumble as Chad Baker-Mazara suffers a leg injury against Nebraska, exposing depth issues and a critical need for offensive firepower.
USC entered the matchup against No. 12 Nebraska needing a statement win to bolster its NCAA Tournament résumé, but the game took a turn when Chad Baker-Mazara collapsed with an apparent leg injury early in the second half.
The Trojans were ranked outside the top 60 in the NET, making this a must‑win Quad 1 game; a loss underscores the team’s reliance on a thin scoring core (official report).
Just four days earlier, leading scorer Rodney Rice was sidelined by injury, and Baker-Mazara’s collapse left the team without its top two offensive options, forcing Coach Eric Musselman to lean on bench players who struggled to generate points.
Analysts have pointed to a flawed offensive scheme that depends heavily on perimeter shooting, a strategy that falters when key shooters are unavailable (AOL Sports analysis).
What it means
The defeat drops USC to 18‑11 overall and 7‑11 in the Big Ten, extending a five‑game losing streak that jeopardizes its at‑large bid prospects.
Turning point
Nebraska seized momentum with a 12‑2 run after Baker-Mazara’s exit, highlighted by a dunk from Berke Buyuktuncel that capped a 15‑0 spurt, turning a 36‑31 halftime lead into a 51‑31 deficit.
MVP
Nebraska forward Pryce Sandfort emerged as the game’s MVP, scoring 32 points on 12‑of‑21 shooting and 5‑of‑10 from three‑point range, consistently neutralizing USC’s defensive adjustments.
Up next
USC will travel to face Washington on Wednesday before a much‑anticipated rematch with UCLA on March 7 at the Galen Center, a game that could determine its final postseason fate.
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