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OK Old-Timers....What is your fondest USC Basketball Memory?

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  • #1

    OK Old-Timers....What is your fondest USC Basketball Memory?

    I'm finding out that many of your are long-time USC basketball fanatics (like me!). Although we're not YET a Blue-Blood D1 program, we still have so many things to celebrate...memories to cherish and bring hope of more successes on the court. Two stand out to me:

    1 - The first one is obvious - making a run in the 2001 NCAA Tournament, knocking off then #2 seed Kentucky, and getting to face Duke in the Elite Eight. Just magical.
    2- I also remember the energy Harold Miner (Baby Jordan) brought to the Sports Arena in the early 90's, and how much fun it was to watch that special left-handed assassin with that hyper-smooth jump shot, and springs to make any dunk highlight-reel worthy. (Those were the days!) We've had so many great games, and great NBA -bound players.

    Were you around to watch my favorites? What are your favorite memories?
    Tags: None
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  • #2
    1. The elite 8 year in totality
    2. The game I took a really hot girl to a game at the Sports Arena while I was at SC, where Dwight “Lightning” Anderson made a miracle shot flying out of bounds to win the game. Greatest shot I ever saw. Great evening in every respect lol. This was 1981 or 82. Shot is actually on YouTube.
    Last edited by GlendaleTrojan; 03-01-2021, 10:38 AM.
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    • SC MOJO
      #2.1
      SC MOJO commented
      03-01-2021, 10:33 AM
      Editing a comment
      what an awesome share! lmao. Hope you married the "hot girl!"
  • #3
    Not really an old-timer since I didn't develop my USC basketball fandom until after Bibby's best years, so probably beating Texas in the tourney. Really enjoyed the team's effort, especially Hackett on KD.
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    • SC MOJO
      #3.1
      SC MOJO commented
      03-01-2021, 01:52 PM
      Editing a comment
      That WAS awesome. Not many have sent KD packing, before or since. Durant had 30 points in 40 minutes (played the whole game), but was held to 2/9 from behind the arc. DJ Augustin (still in the NBA) was also on that team. I wish Hackett has stayed for his senior year. Man, so many good Trojans have left early never to make any noise anywhere. What a fun year he missed!
  • #4
    My favorite memory was in 1985 at the Sports Arena for the first of 2 wins that season against the crosstown rivals. This team coached by Stan Morrison had Wayne Carlander, Derrick Dowell, Ron Holmes, Larry Friend, Phil Smith, Rod Keller and I can't remember who else on it. UCLA had Reggie Miller who we loved to hate and taunt with "Cheryl is better!" LOL. They also had Jack Haley the 7-ft surfer and every time he was in, the crowd would chant "Haley you suck!" It was great. The game went to double OT and SC won it 78-77. The Sports Arena was rocking. A month later, the Trojans would win in Pauley in 4 OTs!

    As far as player memories, I always liked hardnosed players who took charges and one of the best at it, in my memory at least, was Mark Boyd. I also loved to see the super athletic Jeff Trepagnier, who at 6'4" had hops so great (like a 40 inch vertical), that he placed second in the high jump at the 2000 Pac-10 conference track and field championships with a jump of like 7'1" or so, I think. This was on natural ability and not much coaching or practice with the track team, if I recall correctly. What an athlete and I think he was one of the originals from the Compton Magic team.
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    • SCthe1
      #4.1
      SCthe1 commented
      03-01-2021, 12:06 PM
      Editing a comment
      I think I will add one more here, Ronnie Coleman at 6'6" could dominate for his size. He was a good rebounder and almost automatic with the scoring in the lane. He had nice inside moves and could hit the mid-range jumpers. The real fun was watching his big sister run up and down the outside of the court cheering for him. That was crazy.
    • SC MOJO
      #4.2
      SC MOJO commented
      03-01-2021, 01:28 PM
      Editing a comment
      What a great share SCthe1. Love hearing about the '85 Reggie Miller and Haley fan interaction. I remember Jeff Trepagnier well. What a team that was! Sam Clancy, Brian Scalabrine, David Bluthenthal, Brandon Granville, Trepagnier, Desmon Farmer. That team was RIDICULOUS! ..and yes, Jeff coud jump out o the gym. Like Ronnie Coleman, Sam Clancy could dominate for his size. I was disappointed he never found a home in the NBA. Man, did he have a mid-range jumper! Many also forget how tough Brandon Granville was, and though diminutive, that kid never backed down, and was clutch from outside. Thanks for sharing!
  • #5
    I’ll take you back. 1968 SC beating the Alcindor lead Bruins in Pauley. I was young but a big fan of “all SC”.
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    • SC MOJO
      #5.1
      SC MOJO commented
      03-01-2021, 01:30 PM
      Editing a comment
      My birth year. LOL. Sorry I missed it. It sounded like a blast!! Fight On!
    • Troyview
      #5.2
      Troyview commented
      03-01-2021, 03:06 PM
      Editing a comment
      A couple of side notes on that game, First off, Bruin crowd was "shell-shocked" which is always a thing of beauty. This was the 1st loss suffered by the Bruins at Pauley. Ugly game but perfect outcome. I did get a thrill last year with the Matthews shot. Bruins thought they had that one and again were shell-shocked. Fight On !
  • #6
    1999 against Oregon - down 5 with 2.8 seconds and Adam Spanich hit two threes to steal the game.

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    • SC MOJO
      #6.1
      SC MOJO commented
      03-01-2021, 01:32 PM
      Editing a comment
      I remember that! The final shot was an intercepted pass at half court that he just heaved up and "splash!" Just happened to be Spanich in the area, who had just hit the previous shot. Amazing. (All smiles.) It's always good to beat the Ducks!
  • #7
    1985. USC sweeps UCLA. Beat them in game 2 in 4OT!!

    Wayne Carlander, Derrick Dowell, Larry Friend, Ron Holmes, Glenn Smith and the game winner by Charlie Simpson!! Beat Reggie Miller’s Bruins!!!

    Sent a letter to Stan Morrison thanking him and got a nice letter back!!

    So sweet!
    Last edited by BC Trojan; 03-01-2021, 11:48 AM.
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    • SC MOJO
      #7.1
      SC MOJO commented
      03-01-2021, 01:38 PM
      Editing a comment
      I WAS AT THIS GAME! So great that Stan sent you a response. Quality man. I still remember the whole controversy of his dismissal...and that AMAZING class that up-and-left when Stan was let go. I followed Hank Gathers and Bo Kimble closely once they left. Oh, what could have been. Paul Westhead did a fantastic job with that group though.
  • #8
    1) 1985 - Charlie Simpson layup at the buzzer to beat UCLA at Pauley in 4 OTs
    2) Beating Kentucky in Sweet 16
    3) 1992 - Minor drive & dunk vs UCLA
    4) 1981 - Mo Williams 20 footer at the buzzer to beat UCLA at Pauley. We hadn't beaten them at Pauley in like 100 years.
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    • #9
      Not an old timer, but watching 2001 team beat Kentucky was great and same great feeling when we beat Texas and Kevin Durant's team in 2007.

      But my fondest memory watching live basketball was in 2017 when we upset no 6 seed team SMU, 66-65 at Tulsa OK in the first round. We were trailing big in the first half, but we can came back, and the game was close thru out the second half. SC was behind by 2 with about 30 seconds to go, and Elijah Stewart made late 3 and we stopped them on their last offensive play.

      It was a magical and fun experience for me personally, because I got to enjoy those great SC winning moments with my wife. It was also great experience to win when approx 99.99% of 19,199 fans were rooting for SMU, and against USC.
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      • SC MOJO
        #9.1
        SC MOJO commented
        03-01-2021, 01:39 PM
        Editing a comment
        Love it!!!
    • #10
      I can’t find anything about it online since this was a late 90s game. But I know it happened - I was at the Sports Arena to see it live.

      USC down late, looking for tying/winning shot. Turns it over. 2 on 1 the other way with only Trepagnier back on D. In no man’s between the two streaking opponents. The one with the ball passes to the other for a game-ending layup.

      Trepagnier somehow covers several steps in the blink of an eye to block the layup. Blocks it high into the air and chases it; catches the blocked shot near the corner of the court as he’s leaning/falling out of bounds and calls a time out.

      USC inbounds after the timeout. Play is to Trepagnier who rises for the buzzer beat. Nothing but net.

      Block. Steal. Game winner. In the span of less than 5 seconds of game time remaining.

      Does anyone else remember that game?
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      • SCthe1
        #10.1
        SCthe1 commented
        03-01-2021, 01:28 PM
        Editing a comment
        I definitely remember that game. As I stated above in my post, Trepagnier was one of my favorites of all time, due to his out of this world athleticism. What a stud and was drafted into the NBA but didn't last long playing a couple of years for the Cavs and Nuggets, before moving on to a career in Europe.
      • SC MOJO
        #10.2
        SC MOJO commented
        03-01-2021, 01:42 PM
        Editing a comment
        Great recollection! I was at that game too, but don't remember it quite as well as you do. Jeff was a streaky outside shooter, but that shot was timely! Gotta love how one player made so much happen to change the outcome of a game in the waining moments. I'm excited to see Evan do something similar in the post season!
    • #11
      Originally posted by Globe View Post
      1)
      3) 1992 - Minor drive & dunk vs UCLA
      Which one?

      =)

      Comment

      • #12
        1. Though a loss, the first game vs UCLA at the Sports Arena in Paul Westphal's junior year. I was there, and the atmosphere was electric.

        2. The slowdown game where we beat Alcindor's team. I believe Bill Hewitt scored 39.

        3. The NCAA first-round game where we beat Texas and Kevin Durant. Tim Floyd's team, with 6-5 Daniel Hackett guarding Durant, and doing a pretty good job.
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        • #13
          1. Beating UCLA in quadruple overtime at Pauley (after winning in double overtime at the SA (I was there for both)).

          2. Jonah Mathews shot to beat UCLA in 2020 at Galen.

          3. Mo Williams buzzer beater vs UCLA (I was there).

          4. Trepagnier buzzer beater vs UCLA.

          5. Adam Spanich's two three pointers in 2.7 seconds vs Oregon.
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          • SC MOJO
            #13.1
            SC MOJO commented
            03-01-2021, 01:56 PM
            Editing a comment
            All great! Thanks for reminding us all of JONAH MATHEWS! Yeah, THAT was a game-ender. So sad they never got the chance to dance in the tournament due to the pandemic, but yes, beating ucla at the buzzer at home in the final game of the season! Seems like an eternity ago. Mathews was a boss.
        • #14
          1. Harold's dunk against UCLA 1992
          2. 2001 NCAA win over Kentucky...basically ran them off the floor before they had a come back that fell short.

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          • #15
            My favorite memory though nothing historic about the game was a home game against Washington at the Sports Arena. I was friendly at the time with Brian Hammel who was the assistant coach under George Raveling and he left me a ticket at will call for the game. USC won and Brian brought Harold Minor over to meet me. That was kind of neat.
            My favorite team was the team that went to the Elite 8 and my favorite win was when we beat blue blood Kentucky. Never thought I'd ever see that happen.
            Hopefully, we will all get some nice memories from this year's team. Still a long way to go.
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