UPDATE: Drew Peterson a game-time decision for USC vs Arizona State
UPDATE of the story below:
Drew Peterson, originally ruled out for Saturday’s game against Arizona State, has been upgraded to a game-time decision, per Jon Rothstein of CBS Sports.
Here was the original report, filed roughly 90 minutes earlier on Saturday evening:
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This is a gut punch. Now we get to see if USC can withstand it.
Drew Peterson, USC’s veteran guard who has carried a very large workload for the Trojans over the past three seasons, but especially this one, will not play in Saturday night’s big bubble game against the Arizona State Sun Devils. Peterson wore a back brace for a period of time on Thursday night during USC’s game against the Arizona Wildcats. He was seen talking to coach Andy Enfield during the game. Obviously, his discomfort was great enough to keep him out of what was going to be his Senior Night game, his final game at the Galen Center as a Trojan. That obviously means the injury is more than slight discomfort.
Peterson’s absence means that Reese Dixon-Waters, who has come off the bench for the Trojans for most of this season, will get extended minutes as a starting guard. Dixon-Waters has been playing well, but the role of a starter — having to be ready at the opening tip and not being able to slide into the game several minutes in — will represent a change of pace for him.
This puts more emphasis on the need for Kobe Johnson, Tre White, Joshua Morgan, and Vince Iwuchukwu to play well for USC against an Arizona State team which needs this game to make the NCAA Tournament.
USC's Drew Peterson (back) is OUT for tonight's game against Arizona State, per a school spokesman. Averages 14.3 PPG.
Significant development in a key bubble game for the Sun Devils.
— Jon Rothstein (@JonRothstein) March 5, 2023
