SEATTLE– The Trojans have had a tough time on the road this season with a record of 2-9. In their last seven games, they have won three and lost four, with two of those losses being in overtime and one being a one-possession game. On the other hand, the Huskies have won 16 games entering Saturday’s game. They are coming off a 94-77 win against UCLA on Thursday. Keion Brooks Jr. is the top scorer in the Pac-12 with an average of 21.3 points per game, while the Huskies have the second-highest scoring average in the conference with 81.2 points per game.

Here are three takeaways from the game:

Another great offensive start for USC

During the game, USC made a strong start with Isaiah Collier and DJ Rodman scoring the first 17 points for their team. Collier continued his excellent performance from the previous game against the Cougars and gave the Trojans an early double-digit lead in the first half. In the middle of the first half, Oziyah Sellers came off the bench and immediately scored four points. Bronny James also checked in for a few minutes, but he missed his only shot attempt and grabbed two rebounds before being taken out and put back on the bench.

During the first half, the Huskies played well by attacking the basket and passing the ball around. Brooks was the leading scorer for Washington with nine points, followed by Moses Wood with six points. Both teams played competitively throughout the half. However, USC took the lead with a score of 35-32 and with just under three minutes remaining, James stole the ball from the Huskies and passed it to Ellis for an open layup, increasing USC’s lead to 5 points.

Rodman proved to be one of USC’s most consistent players. He scored 7 points, grabbed 2 rebounds, and had 3 assists. However, Vincent Iwuchukwu had been receiving the majority of the minutes at center over the past few weeks. Towards the end of the first half, the Trojans were leading 39-35. Iwuchukwu fouled Brooks while shooting a three, and Brooks made all three free throws. This led to the Huskies cutting the lead to 39-38 as they headed into the locker room. It’s worth noting that USC failed to get to the free-throw line in the first half, while the Huskies made all 5 of their free throws.

At the end of the first half, Brooks had scored 15 points, and Collier had 14 points with 2 out of 3 shots made from beyond the arc. Throughout the entire season, the Trojans have struggled with avoiding fouls. Washington made 7 out of 13 three-point attempts, while USC made 5 out of 9. Ellis had 9 points, 2 rebounds, and 2 turnovers as he struggled initially but later settled in.

Trojans commit to defense in the second half

Andy Enfield’s team has been fully healthy lately, which is evident in their recent performances on the court. As they start the second half, USC went on a 10-1 run, which silenced the sold-out crowd on senior night. Although Washington’s Koren Johnson managed to cut down the lead with some shots of his own, it wasn’t enough for the Huskies as the Trojans kept fighting back. During the game, Ellis found his rhythm and helped contribute alongside Collier by consistently pounding the ball.

The Trojans were leading 61-52 with 10:29 remaining in the game when Rodman made both of his free throws. Shortly after, Rodman threw up an underhand shot and made it successfully. He then chased down his defender on a fastbreak and blocked him. Rodman played a vital role in the game, along with Collier and Ellis. Unfortunately, USC lost to Washington State in their previous game, where they were leading for most of the time but let the win slip away in the last few minutes. However, in the game against the Huskies, USC had a 15-point lead with less than six minutes to go, as they allowed Washington to score nine consecutive points.

The Huskies kept attacking the basket, causing USC to turn the ball over three times in just over a minute. Collier committed a foul on Brooks while shooting a three-pointer, with only 1 minute and 30 seconds left on the clock. Brooks managed to score all three points, putting the Trojans in the lead with a score of 76-73. However, Collier made two consecutive scoring plays, which gave USC some breathing room. In addition, Joshua Morgan made a massive block just as Washington attempted a three-pointer from the wing. This move saved the game for the Trojans.

Collier had a career high by scoring 31 points in the 82-75 victory against Washington. Rodman contributed 17 points, 6 rebounds, and 3 assists, while Ellis, despite a slow start, also added 17 points and 4 rebounds, making 3 of 6 shots from beyond the arc. Johnson scored only six points, but his defensive skills were valuable, as he led the team with 9 rebounds, 5 assists, 4 steals, and 2 blocks. His contribution helped the team win the game.

On the losing side, Koren Johnson scored 21 points, 5 rebounds, and 3 assists, while Brooks finished with 20 points on 5 of 14 field goals. The Trojans’ defensive pressure resulted in the Huskies losing possession of the ball 10 times in the game. This win is significant for the Trojans as it is their 12th win of the season and they are now 6-12 against the Pac-12.

What to expect from Bronny James

James is completing his freshman year of college, and this season has been unlike any other for him. He faced a setback last summer, which prevented him from having the year he hoped for. However, this setback does not mean that he cannot reach the NBA in the upcoming summer.

Recently, Enfield has not been giving him many minutes on the court, even though he has been fully cleared to play. On Saturday, James played for only 14 minutes and failed to score any points. He attempted only one shot in the first half, but did manage to grab three rebounds and make two assists.

There is talk going around in the basketball community that LeBron James is interested in playing alongside his son when he becomes eligible to play in the NBA this summer. However, there are varying opinions on whether Bronny is ready for the NBA. Some individuals within the USC program are concerned that James may leave the Trojans after this season to join his father on the Lakers or transfer to another team. James has the option to pursue either of these paths, and it’s worth noting that the Lakers have multiple picks in the upcoming draft.

James performed remarkably well during the period when Collier and Ellis were out due to injury. Although the team has regained full strength, they are struggling to win consecutive games. They have shown improvement in recent times, but still have a lot of potential to achieve better results. James possesses the skills to compete with the top players in college, but has not had enough opportunities to showcase his talent. This season, he has a shooting percentage of 37.4%, and is averaging 5.3 points, 2.8 rebounds and 2.4 assists. He missed the first six weeks of the regular season, and was fully cleared to play in mid-January.

Despite only having one year of college basketball experience, James is expected to excel playing alongside experienced players. His father, LeBron James, will make him look better than any other of his teammates. James has inherited his father’s basketball genes and his high IQ on the court is evident in his game. He plays with force and intensity, often resembling his father’s style of play. With his natural talent and dedication, he is sure to continue maturing and growing as a basketball player. Overall, James’ future in the sport looks bright, and he has the potential to become a great basketball player like his father.