Left searching for answers once again
Peter Simones
Issue date: 3/25/08 Section: Sports
"How do I get out?"
As USC coach Tim Floyd exited the locker room late Thursday night, his final question, posed to an arena employee, said it all.
The question was emblematic not only of a first-round NCAA Tournament game gone awry, but of a season left begging and an uncertain future that could prove as disappointing as it once was promising.
No matter how Floyd envisioned the script being written, it certainly didn't go like this.
One year ago, the Trojans were fresh off an upset win over Texas and moving on to the Sweet 16, where they would build a 16-point second-half lead over No. 1-seed North Carolina only to fall victim to a Tar Heels comeback.
Junior forward Nick Young would likely leave for the NBA, but it didn't matter.
Junior guard Gabe Pruitt was expected back to be the court general for a veteran USC team adding the to likes of top-10 recruits O.J. Mayo and Davon Jefferson.
The Sweet 16 was a pleasant surprise, but it was to be only a starting point.
As Floyd sat behind the microphone Thursday following his team's uninspired performance, he listened to Mayo and Taj Gibson field questions while he stared straight into space.
If his countenance reflected what was going through his mind, he, like everyone who picked USC as an Elite Eight or Final Four team, had more questions than answers.
Sure, he knew rebounding struggles cost USC the game, but why? The Trojans had outrebounded eight straight opponents.
He knew his team played with little or no energy, save for a five-minute stretch in the second half, but why? Where was the effort displayed during the regular season's stretch run in which USC won 11 of its final 14 games?
"We have been better in some areas that we weren't tonight," Floyd said.
When rationalization and explanation are out of reach, settle for generalization.
But perhaps the most disturbing question running through Floyd's mind pertained to next year.
As USC coach Tim Floyd exited the locker room late Thursday night, his final question, posed to an arena employee, said it all.
The question was emblematic not only of a first-round NCAA Tournament game gone awry, but of a season left begging and an uncertain future that could prove as disappointing as it once was promising.
No matter how Floyd envisioned the script being written, it certainly didn't go like this.
One year ago, the Trojans were fresh off an upset win over Texas and moving on to the Sweet 16, where they would build a 16-point second-half lead over No. 1-seed North Carolina only to fall victim to a Tar Heels comeback.
Junior forward Nick Young would likely leave for the NBA, but it didn't matter.
Junior guard Gabe Pruitt was expected back to be the court general for a veteran USC team adding the to likes of top-10 recruits O.J. Mayo and Davon Jefferson.
The Sweet 16 was a pleasant surprise, but it was to be only a starting point.
As Floyd sat behind the microphone Thursday following his team's uninspired performance, he listened to Mayo and Taj Gibson field questions while he stared straight into space.
If his countenance reflected what was going through his mind, he, like everyone who picked USC as an Elite Eight or Final Four team, had more questions than answers.
Sure, he knew rebounding struggles cost USC the game, but why? The Trojans had outrebounded eight straight opponents.
He knew his team played with little or no energy, save for a five-minute stretch in the second half, but why? Where was the effort displayed during the regular season's stretch run in which USC won 11 of its final 14 games?
"We have been better in some areas that we weren't tonight," Floyd said.
When rationalization and explanation are out of reach, settle for generalization.
But perhaps the most disturbing question running through Floyd's mind pertained to next year.
Viewing Comments 1 - 2 of 2
Manny
posted 3/25/08 @ 10:13 AM PST
USC is a football school, so why is anyone shocked when the basketball slackers drop the ball early in the tournament?
News flash: the Galen Center was built for the volleyball teams. (Continued…)
Mark S.
posted 3/25/08 @ 6:26 PM PST
A season of memorable team performances and individual stars. From an 0-3 start in the league to a gutty home court stand against the Bay Area schools at the finish. (Continued…)
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