Top-10 recruit attempts early enrollment to Duke

...to attend USC early after the tragic death the previous spring of former USC point guard Ryan Francis. Francis was murdered in Baton Rouge, La., in May 2006. Hackett graduated early from St. John...

USC reeling from back luck

LOS ANGELES -- USC coach Tim Floyd invited me into his Galen Center office Wednesday and pointed to this odd, black cat statue with green eyes. Floyd ...

Blog Entry | Conversation | October 18, 2007

Team preview: USC

Blue Ribbon Yearbook previews the 2007-08 college basketball season, exclusively on Insider.

Story | Conversation | September 27, 2007

Man convicted of killing USC's Francis sentenced to life

The man convicted of killing a USC basketball player Ryan Francis was sentenced to life in prison.

Man convicted of killing USC's Francis faces life sentence without parole

A man convicted Friday of killing Southern California basketball player Ryan Francis faces an automatic life prison sentence without parole.

Floyd's ahead of schedule at "last job"

In just two seasons, Tim Floyd has USC in the Sweet 16 and looking primed to become a national power, writes Mark Schlabach.

Young pours in 22 points for USC in blowout of Texas

Southern California made sure of that Sunday, getting 22 points from its more seasoned star, junior Nick Young, in an 87-68 runaway over Texas and Durant, the freshman front-runner for national player of the year.

Trojans dedicate NCAA tourney run to Francis

Inspired by the loss of a beloved teammate, Southern California went from a 17-13 record in 2005-06 to notching its first NCAA Tournament win in six years, writes Mark Schlabach.

Every Trojan wears a patch on his uniform in remembrance of Ryan Francis

Ryan Francis' untimely death has been a rallying point for USC

Trojans remember fallen teammate, look ahead to Longhorns

Trojans remember fallen teammate, while looking ahead at Longhorns

Given recent history, Trojans-Ducks is unexpected final

USC began the season in crisis. Oregon began it trying to shake off an underachiever label. Now the two are meeting for the Pac-10 Tournament title -- and maybe a protected seed in the NCAAs, Andy Katz writes.

Ditch the bias -- the Pac-10 is where it's at

To have any chance in your NCAA pool, we advise you to start watching West Coast hoops.

Pruitt's return, improved leadership, pacing USC's surge

Gabe Pruitt's return from academic ineligibility -- and his improved leadership -- are big reasons USC has been such a surprise in the Pac-10, Andy Katz writes.

USC's Gibson, Wazzu shine in wacky Pac-10

We're dishing out some more West Coast love, as USC's Taj Gibson to Washington State headline this week's Weekly Watch.