Usc's Basketball Tournament Journey: Is It Over?

is usc still in the basketball tournament

The USC Trojans have a rich history in basketball, with 16 NCAA tournament appearances and two Final Four appearances. In 2023, the USC men's basketball team earned its third consecutive berth into the NCAA tournament, facing Michigan State in the first round. The USC women's basketball team has also achieved notable success, securing a top seed in the 2025 NCAA tournament and advancing to the Elite Eight. With a strong record and talented players, the USC Trojans continue to be a force to be reckoned with in the world of college basketball.

Characteristics Values
Date of Search 19 April 2025
Men's Basketball Tournament Appearances 16 NCAA tournament appearances, including 2023
Men's Basketball Tournament Performance 5 Sweet Sixteen appearances, 4 Elite Eight appearances, and 2 Final Four appearances
Men's Basketball Team Achievements Ranked 5th in the nation in 1971
Men's Basketball Team Coaches Bob Cantu (interim), Kevin O'Neill, Andy Enfield, Eric Musselman
Women's Basketball Tournament Appearances 2 times since 1986
Women's Basketball Tournament Performance Elite Eight in 2025
Women's Basketball Team Achievements 2 straight top seeds
Women's Basketball Team Coaches Lindsay Gottlieb

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USC's 2023 NCAA Tournament seed, bracket, and opponent

In 2023, the USC Trojans men's basketball team earned a No. 10 seed in the NCAA Tournament. In the first round, USC faced Michigan State, the No. 7 seed in the East Region, on Friday, March 12, at 9:15 a.m. PDT in Columbus, Ohio. The Trojans' appearance in the 2023 NCAA Tournament marked the third straight season and the fourth consecutive time if the 2020 pandemic season is included.

USC's road to the 2023 NCAA Tournament was not straightforward. The team's status swung back and forth, and their participation was uncertain until the second-to-last pairing of the tournament was announced. The Trojans' season was marked by resilience, as they had to overcome challenges such as the health limitations of player Vince Iwuchukwu, who suffered cardiac arrest during preseason practice, and the loss of Isaiah Mobley to the pros.

In their first-round matchup, the USC Trojans men's basketball team faced a formidable opponent in Michigan State, led by one of the tournament's most capable coaches, Tom Izzo. Izzo had previously led Michigan State to a national title in 2000 and remained an active leader in Final Four appearances. The game between USC and Michigan State promised to be a competitive contest, with USC boasting a strong team that included the likes of Boogie Ellis, Kobe Johnson, and Tre White.

The USC Trojans men's basketball team's 2023 NCAA Tournament seed, bracket, and opponent presented a challenging yet exciting opportunity for the team. Their first-round matchup against Michigan State, a well-coached team, tested the Trojans' resilience and determination.

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USC's 2023 NCAA Tournament streak

The USC Trojans men's basketball team has made it to the NCAA Tournament for the third consecutive year, a feat the program has only achieved once before under coach Tim Floyd from 2007 to 2009. The Trojans secured their spot in the 2023 NCAA Tournament as a No. 10 seed and will face the No. 7 seed Michigan State Spartans in the first round in Columbus, Ohio. This season, the Trojans have demonstrated resilience, overcoming challenges such as the health limitations of Vince Iwuchukwu and the loss of players like Isaiah Mobley and Chevez Goodwin.

The road to the NCAA Tournament hasn't been easy for USC. They started the season with a loss to Enfield's former team, Florida Gulf Coast, and their status swung back and forth throughout the season. However, they managed to turn it around, with players like sophomore Kobe Johnson, freshman Tre White, and senior Boogie Ellis stepping up and making significant contributions. Ellis, in particular, had a standout performance in their win over UCLA in January, scoring 31 points and then dominating the Pac-12, averaging 24 points in the final dozen games.

The Trojans' inclusion in the tournament was not guaranteed until the second-to-last pairing was announced on Sunday, March 12, 2023, leaving the team and their fans anxiously awaiting their fate. However, their perseverance and hard work paid off, and they secured their spot for the third straight season, a testament to the team's determination and the leadership of coach Andy Enfield.

With a record of 22-10, the Trojans have proven their mettle and will look to continue their winning streak in the tournament. Their first test will be against the Michigan State Spartans, who boast a talented coach in Tom Izzo, a national title winner in 2000. The Spartans, however, have had an uneven season, and the Trojans will be aiming to capitalize on any weaknesses and advance to the next round.

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USC's 2022-23 season in review

The 2022-23 season was a successful one for the University of Southern California's men's basketball team, as they qualified for the NCAA Tournament for the third consecutive year. This was a significant achievement, as the team faced several challenges throughout the season, including the absence of key players due to health issues and departures.

The Trojans, led by head coach Andy Enfield, demonstrated resilience and determination to secure their spot in the tournament. They earned a No. 3 seed in the Pac-12 Tournament and finished the regular season with a record of 22-10, showcasing their consistent performance throughout the year.

One of the key challenges the team faced was the health limitations of Vince Iwuchukwu, who suffered cardiac arrest during preseason practice. Iwuchukwu missed the first two months of the season and several games towards the end. Despite this, the Trojans found a way to overcome his absence, with sophomore Kobe Johnson stepping up as one of the best perimeter defenders in college basketball, and freshman Tre White contributing as a reliable scorer.

Additionally, the Trojans also had to adapt to the loss of Isaiah Mobley, who left for the pros, and the absence of Chevez Goodwin, who had used up his eligibility the previous year. Despite these setbacks, the team pulled together and secured important wins, including a resounding victory over UCLA in January, which solidified their position in the tournament conversation.

The Trojans' first-round NCAA tournament matchup was against Michigan State, led by renowned coach Tom Izzo. This game was a challenging test for USC, as Michigan State boasted a seasoned coach with a proven track record of success in the tournament.

Overall, the 2022-23 season was a testament to the Trojans' resilience and ability to overcome adversity. By qualifying for the NCAA Tournament once again, they continued to build on their recent streak of success and demonstrated the program's positive trajectory under Enfield's leadership.

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USC's all-time basketball record

The USC Trojans men's basketball team has had a rich history, with several notable achievements over the years. The team has an impressive all-time record of 1,500–1,097 (.578) in intercollegiate basketball games. They have had 25 All-Americans, 14 league championships, one conference tournament title, and 16 NCAA tournament appearances.

The team has appeared in 20 NCAA Tournaments, with one appearance vacated due to an NCAA penalty. Their combined record in these tournaments is 17–21, or 12–17 if you count the vacated appearance. The Trojans have made it to the Final Four twice, the Elite Eight four times, and the Sweet Sixteen five times.

The Trojans have had success in their conference as well, winning the conference tournament once and the conference championship seven times. The team has competed in several different conferences over the years, including the Big Ten, Pac-12, Pac-10, Pac-8, AAWU, PCC, and Ind.

Some of the notable names associated with the USC Trojans men's basketball team include Sam Barry, who is the school's all-time winningest coach with a record of 260–138, and players like Jack Gardner, Alex Hannum, Tex Winter, and Bill Sharman, who have all been inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame as coaches.

The 2022-2023 season saw the Trojans make the NCAA Tournament for the fourth consecutive time. They earned the No. 3 seed in the Pac-12 Tournament and overcame various challenges, including the absence of key players, to make it to the Big Dance.

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USC's 2023 NCAA Tournament first-round matchup

The USC Trojans men's basketball team has made it to the 2023 NCAA Tournament, marking their fourth consecutive appearance if the 2020 pandemic season is included. The team has had a challenging season, with players facing health issues and injuries. Despite these setbacks, the Trojans managed to secure the No. 3 seed in the Pac-12 Tournament and earned their spot in the NCAA Tournament.

In the first round of the 2023 NCAA Tournament, the USC Trojans, as the No. 10 seed, faced off against the Michigan State Spartans, the No. 7 seed in the East Region. The game took place on Friday, with a tip-off time of 12:15 p.m. ET in Columbus, Ohio. The game was televised on CBS.

The Trojans had a back-and-forth season, with their status swinging between being in and out of the tournament. They faced challenges with injuries and health issues, including the absence of Vince Iwuchukwu for a significant portion of the season. However, with the return of Iwuchukwu and the emergence of talented freshmen Tre White and Kobe Johnson, the Trojans found their footing and secured their spot in the tournament.

The Michigan State Spartans, on the other hand, also had an uneven season. They entered the tournament after a swift exit in the Big Ten Conference tournament. The Spartans boast one of the tournament's most capable coaches, Tom Izzo, who has led them to numerous successes, including a national title in 2000.

The winner of the USC-Michigan State matchup will advance to the second round to face either No. 2 Marquette or No. 15 Vermont.

Frequently asked questions

Yes, the USC Trojans men's basketball team has made it to the 2023 NCAA Tournament.

They played against Michigan State in the first round of the tournament.

The USC Trojans men's basketball program has had a successful history. They have 25 All-Americans, 14 league championships, one conference tournament title, 16 NCAA tournament appearances, five Sweet Sixteen appearances, four Elite Eight appearances, and two Final Four appearances.

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