Cougs should have got the play in bid to the NCAA tourney. USC wasted their opportunity; might have fared better in the NIT. Coach Kevin O'Neill's lapse in judgement and subsequent suspension during the PAC-10 tournament may have been a continuing distraction:

http://www.pointguardu.com/content/kevin-o-neill-drunken-altercation-arizona-fans-659/

O'Neill was reinstated in time to coach the Trojans to a season ending loss. USC finished with a record of 19 wins vs 15 losses, not counting the Arizona booster beatdown. Hey, at least the guy wasn't a marshmallow salesman!

You got to be old and experienced to know where that last comment came from...