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USC basketball: Cunningham to have MRI

November 21st, 2009, 8:35 pm by Michael Lev, staff writer

USC forward Kasey Cunningham is scheduled to have an MRI on Monday after suffering a sprained left knee during the Trojans’ 67-59 loss to Loyola Marymount on Saturday night.

The knee is the same one that has undergone three ACL surgeries and kept Cunningham out of action for most of the past three seasons.

More from the USC blog:

USC basketball: Cunningham hurts knee

November 21st, 2009, 6:42 pm by Michael Lev, staff writer

USC forward Kasey Cunningham, who has been plagued by knee problems throughout his career, suffered a sprained left knee about five minutes into the second half of the Trojans’ game vs. Loyola Marymount tonight.

Cunningham has had three ACL surgeries on his left knee and was wearing a brace when the injury occurred.

He’s watching the rest of the second half with the knee wrapped in ice.

More from the USC blog:

USC football: Trojans fans among Pac-10’s rudest

November 21st, 2009, 4:20 pm by Michael Lev, staff writer

According to a fan poll conducted by SI.com, USC (12.9 percent) has the second-rudest fans in the Pac-10 Conference, trailing only Oregon (26.2).

The Trojans just can’t win at anything anymore!

Seriously, though, it’s an interesting survey on a variety of topics that can be broken down in a variety of ways.

For instance, you tell specifically how USC and UCLA fans responded to each question.

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USC football: Cameron’s time could be coming

November 20th, 2009, 6:00 am by Michael Lev, staff writer

Damian Williams is still a question mark for the UCLA game because of his high ankle sprain. David Ausberry is out indefinitely. Brice Butler has fluid buildup in his back that shouldn’t keep him out but could hinder him. Freshman De’Von Flournoy isn’t ready.

So who’s going to step up at wide receiver for USC besides Ronald Johnson?

The candidates include Brandon Carswell and Travon Patterson. But by far the most intriguing prospect is Jordan Cameron.

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USC football: Run defense finally gets physical

November 19th, 2009, 8:51 pm by Michael Lev, staff writer

Jeff Byers could sense a difference.

In the most physical of football drills — the full-contact running drill known as the “nine-on-seven” — the USC defense was bringing it. Even though Byers is an offensive lineman by trade, it felt like the good old days.

“This is the first time I’ve really seen our defense consistently pound guys,” Byers said Thursday. “Nine-on-seven a couple days ago kind of felt like nine-on-seven with Rey and Cush. Which is good.”

“Rey” and “Cush,” of course, are Rey Maualuga and Brian Cushing, the big and big-time linebackers who spearheaded the Trojans’ second-ranked defense last season.

They’re playing in the NFL now, along with several of their 2008 defensive teammates. The young front seven left in their wake has struggled mightily of late, surrendering 716 rushing yards in a pair of blowout losses that shook the foundation of the USC program. To put that figure in perspective, it’s 76 more yards than the defense has allowed in the other eight games combined.

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USC football: McKnight returns to practice

November 19th, 2009, 6:48 pm by Michael Lev, staff writer

Quick hitters from USC’s Thursday practice:

** Tailback Joe McKnight returned to action after sitting out Wednesday because of migraines.

** Defensive end Everson Griffen and linebacker Chris Galippo were among several banged-up veterans receiving extra rest.

** Freshman Devon Kennard is in line to start for the second consecutive game at strong-side linebacker. Michael Morgan is limited because of a broken wrist and sore shoulder.

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USC football: What Bates said about Colorado

November 19th, 2009, 4:48 pm by Michael Lev, staff writer

USC quarterbacks coach Jeremy Bates‘ name appeared on a list of possible candidates to take over the coaching job at Colorado. Pure rumor, basically, but we asked Bates about it anyway. (That’s our job, after all.)

Here’s what the former Denver Broncos assistant said (or didn’t say):

(on whether he’s interested in the Colorado job)

“I’m working day by day. We’re trying to get better offensively and keep grinding.” Read the rest of this entry »

USC football: Still hope for the BCS?

November 19th, 2009, 2:30 pm by Michael Lev, staff writer

Not for USC, obviously; that ship has sunk, er, sailed.

I’m referring to the advocates of the BCS seeing the light — which hopefully would lead to its eventual destruction and the creation of a playoff.

Why am I suddenly optimistic about this? Because the BCS launched a Facebook page, and on its wall, BCS executive director Bill Hancock wrote something shockingly open-minded.

Full text after the jump:

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USC football: The bowl poll

November 19th, 2009, 10:00 am by Michael Lev, staff writer

Hey, look at the bright side: At least USC won’t be getting screwed out of the BCS title game this year.

Other than that game (i.e., Rose Bowl II) and an at-large BCS berth, the postseason possibilities are endless for the Trojans now that they have three losses (and counting?).

With two games to go, they aren’t mathematically eliminated from the Rose Bowl yet — or assured of earning one of the Pac-10 Conference’s six automatic bowl bids. Crazy, huh?

Here’s your chance to predict USC’s uncertain future:

**********

Which bowl is USC most likely to play in?
View Results

More from the USC blog:

USC football: Digging deeper into Barkley’s flaws

November 19th, 2009, 7:00 am by Michael Lev, staff writer

Cutting down on turnovers isn’t the only way USC quarterback Matt Barkley can get better.

Position coach Jeremy Bates pointed to two other areas — one pretty basic, the other pretty subtle.

We’ll start with the basic one:

“He still has to find checkdowns,” Bates said. “He’s so used to hitting the big plays in high school, hitting the seams. He still has to find (the) No. 3 (receiver). He’s still young. He’s still a process.”

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