ANAHEIM
USC coach Tim Floyd said he didn’t start O.J. Mayo and Taj Gibson for the first 6 minutes, 24 seconds of the Anaheim Classic championship game Sunday because he wanted to give lesser players a chance to log significant minutes. The only thing that accomplished, though, was a five-point deficit.
Three minutes after Mayo and Gibson entered the game, though, the Trojans reversed the lead and went on to shock No. 19 Southern Illinois, 70-45, and claim the inaugural championship in front of a crowd of 2,447 at the Anaheim Convention Center.
But in the end, Mayo and Gibson weren’t as instrumental as freshman forward Davon Jefferson.
With the Salukis’ attention keyed on the Trojans’ two stars, Jefferson took over the offense, scoring 20 points in just his third collegiate game. He made 6 of 7 shots from the field and 8 of 11 free throws to lead the Trojans (5-1) to the upset.
NOTES
….Clippers coach Mike Dunleavy stopped by the Anaheim Convention Center to watch the Trojans. His son, James, a freshman, is redshirting this season.
…The Trojans have played just one of its first six games at home. Anaheim is close, but not home
..At least a dozen NBA scouts were in attendance, presumably to see USC freshman O.J. Mayo and SIU’s Randal Falkner
… Mayo was named the tournament’s most outstanding player. Also on the all-tournament team were Falkner of Southern Illinois, Michael Bramos and Tim Pollitz of Miami of Ohio and Jamont Gordon of Mississippi State
MVP
Davon Jefferson. The freshman scored a team-high 20 points to lead the Trojans to the upset in his third collegiate game
.
Did you see that, Part I?
Fans – and a lot of them — cheerleaders and a pep band. After days of pin-dropping quiet, the Anaheim Convention Center had a real college basketball atmosphere. There were still plenty of empty seats, but they didn’t look as bad as some of the earlier games.
Did you see that, Part II?
A sign in the Southern Illinois section read: “A USC Grad, A SUI fan”
Quotable
“I hope the NCAA adopts the Disney rule of making the coaches come to the games in casual clothes. There is no sense in coming in coats and ties.”
– USC coach Tim Floyd
NEXT
USC vs. Oklahoma, Thursday, 8 p.m. (ESPN/710 AM)
– JANIS CARR, The Orange County Register
