"One path closed to the hoop, then another, then another, each slammed shut with a sudden streak of cardinal and gold, before Illinois State forward Chase Walker found himself enveloped by four towering Trojans, each with their arms high in the air. He could barely budge before the shot clock sounded. When Eric Musselman had envisioned a potentially stifling defense in his second season as USC 's coach, this was precisely what he had in mind: Staggering size, suffocating length and ferocious effort to match."
"Point guard does not appear to be one of those problems. Rodney Rice continued his stellar start to the season with one of the best performances of his collegiate career. He tallied a triple-double with 21 points, 10 rebounds and 10 assists, the last of which came in the waning seconds of the game. Chad Baker-Mazara added 18 points, while 7-foot-5 center Gabe Dynes added 14 points, five rebounds and three blocks in his best showing yet."
USC repeatedly sealed driving lanes and clogged the paint, with four defenders collapsing on Illinois State forward Chase Walker to force a shot-clock violation. Coach Eric Musselman envisioned a defense built on size, length and relentless effort, and the Trojans displayed those traits at times. USC won 87-67 as Rodney Rice recorded a 21-point, 10-rebound, 10-assist triple-double. Chad Baker-Mazara scored 18 points and 7-foot-5 center Gabe Dynes had 14 points, five rebounds and three blocks. USC led by 21 late in the first half but cooled after halftime, allowing Illinois State to cut the margin. Midway through the second half the Trojans regained defensive intensity and closed out a third straight victory.
Read at Los Angeles Times
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