The final seconds were ticking away before tip-off, counting down to the start of a new era of USC basketball, when Eric Musselman first emerged from the Galen Center tunnel. Exactly seven months had passed since he took the reins as the Trojans’ coach ...

Exhibition games shouldn't be seen as season-defining events. They are, after all, exhibitions. They certainly don't mean a whole lot in professional sports, other than potentially unearthing some lower-end roster decisions which could carry long-term benefits.

Southern California opened the Eric Musselman era with a 77-51 rout of visiting Chattanooga at home in Los Angeles on Monday. The Trojans, playing their first game under the new