The USC Trojans’ first Big Ten basketball season hasn’t been ideal. After going 8-12 in their final Pac-12 season and concluding eighth in the rankings, they are currently 6-10 in the Big Ten, ranking 14th in Eric Musselman’s inaugural season at the school.
Eric Musselman Sounds Off on Big Ten Travel Woes
After the team lost to Maryland and Rutgers on a Thursday-Sunday road trip, Musselman met with the media and laid out why it could be ridiculous for West Coast teams to play a Big Ten schedule, claiming that teams like USC are “in the hole 2-4 games based on travel.”
#USC HC Eric Musselman didn’t quite go on a Mick Cronin rant following the East Coast swing to #Maryland and #Rutgers, but he was not happy with the trip and the effect it had on his team.
“[The West Coast teams], we’re in the hole 2-4 games based on travel.” pic.twitter.com/U5AE98zh0b
— Shotgun Spratling (@ShotgunSpr) February 24, 2025
This continual traveling across time zones has an impact not just on player exhaustion but also on preparation and recuperation times.
USC has lost three straight and five of its last six games. Four of those losses came on the road (at Northwestern and then-No. 7 Purdue earlier this month, at No. 20 Maryland on Thursday, and at Rutgers on Sunday).
The coach discussed the Trojans’ travel itinerary ahead of Wednesday’s home game against Ohio State to bring insight into the challenges.
On Sunday, after losing to Rutgers in New Jersey, he stated that the players would arrive in Los Angeles at about 3 a.m. (local time) and would have to start classes at 8 a.m. USC’s 95-85 loss to Rutgers began at 6 p.m. ET on Sunday.
As the season thrives, the Trojans prioritize adjusting to their unfamiliar terrain. Musselman recognizes the learning curve, but he is determined to overcome the challenges.
KEEP READING: Big Ten Tournament Projections
The team’s resilience and strategic adaptations will be important as they deal with the rest of their Big Ten schedule, seeking to transform travel-related challenges into the potential for growth and success.
It is now up to Musselman to deal with the situation, or the school will look for someone else who can.
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