Courtesy of USCTrojans.com & Youtube

Against all odds. At #6 in the Pac-10, USC started off the tournament with only one way to earn a ticket to the Big Dance: run the table. First the Trojans pulled a 79-75 upset victory over Cal. The following day USC flexed its muscle against cross town rival #15 UCLA, beating the Bruins 65-55 in the Pac-10 semi-finals.

The very next day the Trojans had to bring their A-game again, for any chance to top the #23 ASU Sun Devils in the Pac-10 Championship. But the three consecutive days of competition seemed to wear on the men of Troy, as USC went into the locker room looking already defeated, trailing by a deep 15 at the half. Then something happened. Tim Floyd did what Tim Floyd gets paid to do: adjust and inspire.

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The Trojans came back out fighting in the second half, outscoring Arizona State 42-24. A 3-pointer by Lewis, some clutch free throws by Hackett and two key blocks by Gibson, all in the final minute, pushed USC over the top and gave the Trojans their first Pac-10 Tournament Championship. Scoring 25 points in the win, DeMar DeRozan received the Pac-10 tournament’s Outstanding Player award amongst chants from the crowd: “One more year!” With the win, USC is assured it’s unprecedented third straight berth in NCAA tournament under Floyd.

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