What-ifs start to set in for USC

Trojans’ latest loss has Musselman mulling what could have been with complete roster.

- By Ryan KARTJE

FROM LEFT, USC's Chad Baker-Mazara and Alijah Arenas, UCLA's Tyler Bilodeau and USC's Terrance Williams II vie for a loose ball. "The lack of shooting is really hurting us," USC coach Eric Musselman says.

(ERIC THAYER Los Angeles Times)

As his USC team slid further off the NCAA tournament bubble, falling flat against its fiercest rival, frustrated coach Eric Musselman couldn't help but lament what might have been.

If the Trojans had Rodney Rice, maybe things would have gone differently in his second season.

“I haven't really talked about it in a long time,” Musselman said. “But we've got three games left, so I'm gonna bring it up now. To run our offense and stuff without a guy like him is problematic for sure.”

Of course, after losing 81-62 to crosstown rival UCLA, there wasn’t much else for USC to find solace in Tuesday night. Maybe Rice, who has been out since late November, would have elevated the Trojans’ ailing offense. Maybe freshman Alijah Arenas, who didn’t debut until late January, could have found his stride faster with a full offseason.