Ayrton Oneill
The University of Southern California's basketball team, the Trojans, has a rich history in intercollegiate athletics. The Trojans have made it to the NCAA Tournament 21 times, the Final Four twice, the Sweet Sixteen five times, the Elite Eight four times, and boast 14 league championships and one conference tournament title. However, despite their impressive record, the USC Trojans men's basketball team has never won an NCAA Championship.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Total number of national championships | 0 |
| Number of NCAA Tournament appearances | 16 or 17 |
| Number of Final Four appearances | 2 |
| Number of Sweet Sixteen appearances | 4 or 5 |
| Number of Elite Eight appearances | 4 |
| Number of league championships | 14 |
| Number of conference tournament titles | 1 |
| Number of conference championships | 7 |
| Number of seasons | 119 |
| All-time record | 1500-1097 or 1746-1285 |
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What You'll Learn
USC Trojans men's basketball history
The USC Trojans men's basketball team has a rich history that dates back several decades. The team represents the University of Southern California and competes in the Big Ten Conference of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division I.
In the early years, the Trojans played their home games at the Shrine Auditorium, which served as their home court for much of the 1940s. The unique setting of a theater provided limited visibility for some seats, as recalled by Trojan forward Alex Omalev, who played from 1940 to 1943. Despite the challenges, the Trojans forged on, and their hard work paid off.
The Trojans have made notable appearances in the NCAA Tournaments, reaching the Final Four twice, in 1940 and 1954. They have also advanced to the Sweet 16 on four occasions (1961, 2001, 2007, and 2021) and reached the Elite Eight twice (2001 and 2021). The team's success can be attributed to the guidance of several renowned coaches throughout their history.
One of the most successful coaches in USC Trojans men's basketball history is Sam Barry, whose sudden passing in 1950 left an indelible mark on the team. During his tenure, he achieved a remarkable winning streak of 40 consecutive wins over crosstown rival UCLA, a record that still stands in college basketball history. Following Barry's death, his assistant coach Forrest Twogood took the reins. Twogood had previously been a successful head coach at other universities and had worked closely with Barry at the University of Iowa.
Other notable coaches include Stan Morrison, who led the team to a record of 103-95 and a first-place finish in the Pac-10 in 1985. George Raveling took the program to new heights with two NCAA tournament appearances during his eight-year tenure. The Trojans have also benefited from the leadership of coaches like Dean Cromwell and Elmer "Gloomy Gus" Henderson, who contributed to the team's success and laid the foundation for future accomplishments.
While the exact number of national championships specifically in basketball is unclear, USC's men's teams across all sports have accumulated an impressive 98 national titles, with the university's teams overall claiming 138 national titles. The Trojans men's basketball team continues to strive for excellence and build upon their rich history with each passing season.
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The team's achievements
The University of Southern California's basketball team, the Trojans, has a rich history of success in intercollegiate athletics. The Trojans men's basketball team has made it to the Final Four twice, in 1940 and 1954, and has had four Sweet Sixteen appearances and two Elite Eight appearances. They have won 21 or more games in six of the past seven seasons under coach Andy Enfield, including a school-record 25 regular-season games in the 2021-22 season.
The Trojans won their first conference title in 1928 under coach Leo Calland, defeating the Washington Huskies 27-26 in the final game of the series. This victory set the tone for future successes, as they went on to win their second PCC championship in the 1929-30 season, finishing with an impressive 15-5 record.
The Trojans have continued to build on their early achievements, making 16 NCAA Tournament appearances and winning one conference tournament title. They have also been ranked in the AP Poll 13 times (Preseason) and 11 times (Final), showcasing their consistent performance over the years.
The Trojans have produced several notable players and coaches who have left their mark on the game. Sam Barry, a former coach, is known for his strategic innovations, including the groundwork for the Triangle offense. Barry, along with four of his USC players (Jack Gardner, Alex Hannum, Tex Winter, and Bill Sharman), have been inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame as coaches.
While the exact number of national championships specifically in basketball is unclear, USC has dominated intercollegiate athletics, with its men's and women's teams combining for an impressive 138 national team titles across various sports.
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USC's NCAA Tournament appearances
The USC Trojans have made it to the NCAA Tournament 16–20 times (with one appearance vacated). The team has made it to the Final Four twice, in 1940 and 1954, the Sweet Sixteen five times, and the Elite Eight four times.
In 1940, only eight teams made the tournament, and in 1954, 16 teams were included. The Trojans didn't reach the NCAA Tournament for another 18 years after 1954 due to UCLA's dominance of the Pac-8.
In 1987, George Raveling took over the program, leading the Trojans to two NCAA Tournament appearances. Stan Morrison had a record of 103–95 in seven seasons at USC, finishing first in the Pac-10 in 1985. Former UCLA player Henry Bibby was named head coach of USC men's basketball in 1995. He led the team for ten seasons, making it to the NCAA tournament three times, including an "Elite Eight" appearance in 2001, but was fired early in his final season.
Under the leadership of coach Andy Enfield, the Trojans have continued to build momentum. Enfield earned Pac-12 Coach of the Year honors in 2021 and led the team to the Elite Eight that same year. USC won 25 regular-season games in the 2021–22 season, a school record.
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The Trojans' most successful seasons
The USC Trojans men's basketball team has never won the NCAA championship, but they have enjoyed some notable successes over the years. The Trojans have made it to the Final Four twice, in 1940 and 1954, the Elite Eight on four occasions (including 2001 and 2021), and the Sweet Sixteen five times (including 1961, 2001, 2007, and 2021). They have also won 14 league championships, one conference tournament title, and appeared in the NCAA tournament 16 times.
The Trojans' first taste of success came in 1910 when they placed second in the league, setting the stage for their first conference title in 1928 under the leadership of head coach Leo Calland. They defeated the Washington Huskies 27-26 in a thrilling game, with Charley Bone securing the victory by burying two shots in the last minute.
The Trojans continued to build on their success, and in the 1943-44 season, they claimed their tenth PCC South Division title under the guidance of head coach Ernie Holbrook, who led them to a 23-5 record. Gene Rock and Ted Gossard were named All-Americans during this impressive campaign.
Another notable season for the Trojans was 2007-08, when they clinched their third straight NCAA Tournament appearance. However, this season was marred by controversy, as it was discovered that player O.J. Mayo had received improper benefits, resulting in USC voluntarily vacating all regular-season wins.
More recently, under the leadership of head coach Andy Enfield, the Trojans have experienced a resurgence. Enfield, who coached the team from 2013 to 2024, guided them to six seasons with 21 or more wins in seven years, including a school record of 25 regular-season wins. During this period, the Trojans consistently made deep runs in the NCAA Tournament, solidifying their reputation as a formidable contender.
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The team's coaches
The USC Trojans men's basketball team has had a long history of coaches, beginning with player-managers and part-time coaches. In the early years, the team was led by a series of football head coaches who also served as basketball coaches, including Ralph Glaze, Dean Cromwell, Elmer "Gloomy Gus" Henderson, and Leo Calland.
Leo Calland, who was both a football assistant and basketball head coach, led the Trojans to their first conference title in 1928. However, he left USC in the summer of 1929, creating a vacancy for a new basketball head coach. This led to the arrival of Sam Barry, a former assistant to legendary football coach Howard Jones, who had also coached basketball at the University of Iowa.
Sam Barry brought an aggressive style of play to the Trojans and implemented strategic innovations that laid the foundation for the Triangle offense. Under his leadership, the Trojans won the PCC championship for the second time in 1930. Guard Johnny Lehners and center Jess Mortensen became the program's first All-Americans that season. Barry's contributions to USC and basketball were significant, and he was later inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame as a coach.
Following World War II, Julie Bescos returned to USC as an assistant football coach, having earned a Silver Star for his heroic actions during the war. Ernie Holbrook, a former player and coach, unfortunately passed away during combat in Europe. Sam Barry was also part of the war effort, receiving a Naval Commendation for his work in the physical and military training of Navy personnel.
In more recent times, the USC Trojans men's basketball team was coached by Andy Enfield from 2013 to 2024. During his tenure, the team experienced a period of gathering momentum, consistently winning 21 or more games in six out of seven seasons. The current head coach is Eric Musselman, who took over from Enfield.
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Frequently asked questions
USC has 0 national championships in basketball.
Yes, the USC Trojans have made it to the Final Four twice, in 1940 and 1954. They have also made it to the Sweet 16 four times (1961, 2001, 2007, 2021) and the Elite Eight twice (2001, 2021).
The USC Trojans have made 16 NCAA tournament appearances.
USC has won 14 league championships.
The USC Trojans have an all-time record of 1500-1097 in intercollegiate basketball games.
