Eric Musselman calls USC defensive rebounding in win over Idaho State 'unacceptable'

The Eric Musselman era at USC is off to a 2-0 start. But Thursday night’s game against Idaho State was too close for comfort in the Galen Center.

The Trojans needed a Saint Thomas 3-pointer with 18 seconds left to fend off the Big Sky’s Bengals, ultimately hanging on for a 75-69 win after a quartet of late-game free throws sealed the deal.

“When you look at rebounds, turnovers and steals, the field goals attempted is something that you have to look at,” Musselman said postgame. “We have to rebound the ball better. I mean, that’s plain and simple.

“You can’t have two defensive rebounds from your centers, especially when you play in the Big Ten. So I’m overly concerned about our defensive rebounding, for sure. But there were some positives with our 20 assists. That’s a lot of assists in a college basketball game and causing 17 turnovers — so there were some positive things.”

Thomas rounded out the night with 10 points and led the way on the assist front, collecting all nine of his helpers in the first half. USC finished with 18 points off Idaho State’s 17 turnovers. Plus, the Trojans cashed with 15 second-chance points off nine offensive rebounds.

The Trojans’ limitations on the defensive glass, however, frustrated Musselman. They recorded a defensive rebounding percentage of just 60.9%, according to Sports Reference. That marks the second time in as many tries that USC has dropped below the 70% mark in that category. Idaho State posted a 40-25 rebounding advantage, including a 28-16 edge in defensive rebounds.

It’s worth noting that the Trojans were missing starting forward Terrance Williams for the second game in a row. He’s been sidelined with a back injury.

Additionally, forwards Matt Knowling and Jalen Shelley didn’t see the floor in the second half because of first-half injuries.

“Yeah, I think, one, we got to get healthy,” Musselman said. “And, two, we got to get back and look at the areas that hurt us. It’s hard to simulate rebounding.

“I mean, we got a million rebounding drills, but I think sometimes you get minimal out of that. You got to go do it in the game. You got to box out better, but we have to drill it because that’s unacceptable, our defensive rebounding tonight.”

Although center Josh Cohen was part of that rebounding problem — the 6-foot-10 UMass graduate transfer had only one defensive board — he led the team with 19 points on 8-of-12 shooting, not to mention his three offensive rebounds, three assists and two blocks.

The Trojans’ homestand continues with a game against UT Arlington next Wednesday.