USC's Basketball Season Ends After Loss to Washington

Trojans' eight-game losing streak ends NCAA Tournament hopes

Mar. 12, 2026 at 1:04am

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The USC basketball team's season came to a disappointing end after an 83-79 overtime loss to Washington in the Big Ten Tournament. The Trojans had led by as many as 13 points in the second half, but were unable to hold on, marking their eighth consecutive loss. Head coach Eric Musselman acknowledged the team's struggles to close out games with a lead, saying it had been the story of their last eight games. With the loss, USC will not be participating in the National Invitation Tournament, ending their season.

Why it matters

USC's late-season collapse dashed their hopes of making the NCAA Tournament, which would have been a significant achievement for the program. The Trojans' inability to protect leads and close out games in the second half raised questions about the team's mental toughness and coaching adjustments. This disappointing end to the season will likely lead to an offseason of reflection and changes for the USC basketball program.

The details

In their Big Ten Tournament opener against Washington, the Trojans built a 57-44 lead early in the second half, but the Huskies stormed back to tie the game. USC was unable to regain the lead in regulation or overtime, falling 83-79. The loss capped an eight-game losing streak for the Trojans, who had appeared poised for an NCAA Tournament berth just a few weeks earlier. Head coach Eric Musselman, who is 35-32 in two seasons at USC, called this late-season stretch "the toughest by far" of his coaching career.

  • USC's last victory was on the road against Penn State on February 8.
  • The Trojans' eight-game losing streak began after that Penn State win.

The players

Eric Musselman

The head coach of the USC basketball team, who has presided over the Trojans' longest losing streak since the 2014-15 season.

Ryan Cornish

A graduate guard for USC who expressed disappointment in the team's season-ending loss, especially for the seniors.

Jaden Brownell

A USC forward who shot while being guarded by Washington's Zoom Diallo in the Big Ten Tournament game.

Kam Woods

A USC guard who scored a free throw to give the Trojans a 57-44 lead early in the second half, before Washington stormed back to tie the game.

Jacob Cofie

A USC forward who acknowledged the team could have done a better job following the game plan in the second-half collapse against Washington.

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What they’re saying

“I mean, it's hard. Ending the season, especially for the seniors, it's not something you want to go through.”

— Ryan Cornish, Graduate Guard (The California Post)

“I can't wait to get to work for next year, starting tonight when I get back to the hotel.”

— Eric Musselman, Head Coach (N/A)

“I would say it was (on the) defensive side. We could have gotten more stops and took the life away from them.”

— Kam Woods, Guard (N/A)

“I'd say it was a combination of things. I feel like we could have done a better job following the game plan.”

— Jacob Cofie, Forward (N/A)

“It sucks losing. We let the game slip away as a team.”

— Ezra Ausar, Senior Forward (N/A)

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow Walker Reed Quinn out on bail.

The takeaway

This disappointing end to USC's basketball season raises questions about the team's mental toughness, coaching adjustments, and the program's direction moving forward. The Trojans' inability to protect leads and close out games in the second half will be a major focus of the offseason as they look to bounce back next year.