Mapping out USC’s 2023 Pac-12 basketball schedule and what needs to happen for the Trojans
The heart of the Pac-12 basketball season has arrived. USC beat Cal and Oregon State a few weeks ago, but now 18 conference games are staring the Trojans in the face. What needs to happen in those 18 games for USC to have a good chance of making the 2023 NCAA Tournament?
While NCAA Tournament bid selection is an inexact science — we’ll obviously know more about what the Trojans need as we go deeper into the season — we can offer a general estimate of what will be needed before Friday’s game in Seattle against the Washington Huskies. Here’s a first look at what USC needs to make the NCAA tourney in March:
Washington schools road trip: must split, really need a sweep.
At UCLA on Jan. 5: The first of two chances to get a vital win over the Bruins. USC needs to split against UCLA or Arizona at an absolute minimum. The Trojans can’t go winless against those two teams and expect to make the NCAA Tournament.
Colorado-Utah (Mountain schools) homestand: Must sweep.
Arizona schools road trip: split. A split would be great for that particular road trip.
Home versus UCLA on Jan. 26: If the Trojans lose to the Bruins on Jan. 5, this becomes a must-have.
Washington schools homestand: must sweep.
Oregon schools road trip: must split, and probably need to make sure to not lose to Oregon State under any circumstances.
Bay Area schools homestand: must sweep.
Mountain road trip: must split.
Arizona schools homestand: must split, and would need to sweep if the Trojans don’t beat UCLA in either meeting.
Pac-12 Tournament: must make the semifinals, might need more.
Overall: Must go 14-6 in the Pac-12 (including the current 2-0 record in the conference, so the Trojans must go 12-6 in their next 18 games) and make the Pac-12 Tournament semifinals.
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