About USC Trojans basketball
The University of Southern California Trojans men's basketball program is the college basketball team that competes in the Pacific-10 Conference (Pac-10) of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division I and represents the University of Southern California on the court.
The program began playing in the newly constructed Galen Center on the USC Campus in Los Angeles, California in November 2006. Previously they played for many years in the Los Angeles Sports Arena.
The program was formerly coached by Tim Floyd, until his resignation on June 9th, 2009. Other staff members include Phil Johnson, Bob Cantu, Gib Arnold, Rob Brooks, Rudy Hackett, and Eric Perea.
USC advanced to the Sweet Sixteen in the 2007 NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Tournament. This had not been accomplished since 2001 (second time since 1979).
Kevin O'Neill, who last coached in the NCAA at Arizona, was named the head coach by Mike Garrett on June 20, 2009.
The 2008–09 Trojans team features the 3rd-ranked recruit in the nation according to Rivals.com, All-American forward Demar DeRozan. USC also received a commitment from point guard Percy Romeo Miller, Jr aka Lil Romeo, the son of Master P. The team opted not to have an October 17, 2008 Midnight Madness celebration.
Building upon the success of previous years, the Trojans defeated Arizona State in the Pac-10 Championship Game and clinched their third straight NCAA Tournament appearance. They defeated Boston College to reach the second round, where they lost 74–69 to eventual runner-up Michigan St.