Since their victory over the University at home, the cohesion among USC's players has grown significantly, elevating the team's overall strength to a higher level. Tactical cooperation has matured noticeably.
Lian Dao's increased speed has been crucial, although he continues to face challenges against agile small forwards. He compensates with strength and strategic positioning, significantly improving his defensive game.
Despite his 69-point CIC being somewhat inconsistent, it proves pivotal in critical moments. Lian Dao has effectively shed the "no CIC" label, now recognized as having an unstable but impactful CIC.
From January 14th to February 14th, USC competed against tough opponents including the Arizona Sun Devils, Arizona Wildcats (twice), Washington State Cougars (twice), Stanford Cardinal, and California Golden Bears. The team emerged with a strong record of 6 wins and 2 losses over these eight games.
Following their victories over the Arizona Wildcats and Washington State Cougars at Galen Center, USC narrowly lost in their away matchups. The second game against their archrivals was hosted at Pauley Pavilion, where USC completed their season double.
Coach Ben Howland's strategy matched USC's pace in the first half, but Lian Dao's performance at the fourth position and his defensive maneuvers shifted momentum decisively in USC's favor in the second half.
Notably, Lian Dao's development of a mid-range shot in the fourth position repeatedly confounded Ben Howland. USC's main challenge, besides collegiate matchups, remains the Arizona Sun Devils. Apart from James Harden, who later entered the NBA, only Jeff Ayres made it professionally from their roster. Despite this, under Harden's leadership, they achieved a remarkable 14-2 start.
Initially taken aback by James Harden's clean-shaven appearance, Lian Dao noticed the beginnings of a beard, albeit a modest one. Reflecting on Harden's transformation, Lian Dao humorously mused that with his current look, Harden might face challenges gaining entry into nightclubs in Arizona.
However, USC didn't underestimate Harden due to appearances. Last season, he guided the Arizona Wildcats to a record of 21 wins and 13 losses, maintaining and even improving their performance this year with an unchanged lineup.
Despite USC's strategic focus on countering the Wildcats in recent years, they struggled against Harden's aggressive play, resulting in several fouls drawn by his dynamic offensive style.
During the game, Vucevic's five fouls led to his benching in the final minutes, with both teams neck and neck on the scoreboard. Lian Dao's game-winning super long three-pointer secured USC's 17th consecutive victory, marking their best start in recent memory.
While the team celebrated their early winning streak, the pressure on players was palpable. Coach Tim expressed both joy over the streak's expansion and concern about potential morale drops if the team were to face a losing streak.
Facing the Washington State Cougars and their standout player Klay Thompson, USC encountered formidable defensive pressure in the first half. Despite Thompson's developing skills, especially his three-point shooting and strategic movements, USC struggled against the Cougars' height advantage, particularly in their home court matchup.
In the subsequent game at Freer Court, USC faced intense defense and double-teaming against Lian Dao early on, hindering their offensive flow. The Cougars' strategic use of their height advantage and perimeter shooters limited USC's scoring opportunities, contributing to a significant deficit by halftime.
Despite efforts to regain their shooting touch in the second half, USC couldn't overcome the deficit from the first half, resulting in a loss to the Cougars by 7 points. This defeat was followed by another loss to the Arizona Wildcats, marking USC's first back-to-back losses of the season.
Against the Stanford Cardinals, California Golden Bears, and Arizona Wildcats at home, the University of Southern California (USC) stopped their losing streak and embarked on a promising three-game winning streak. They continued their momentum against the Washington State Cougars at home, securing a fourth consecutive victory with a commanding lead.
On February 14th, in the rematch against the Washington State Cougars at USC's home court, fueled by revenge and a resolute spirit, Lian Dao showcased his tactical prowess. Off-ball movements orchestrated through screens from teammates or opponents, combined with Daniel Hackett's precise passes, enabled USC to establish a commanding 13-point lead within the opening 10 minutes.
Throughout the game, Lian Dao displayed his scoring versatility, excelling in three-pointers, drives, mid-range shots, and dunks. Despite facing a similarly sized Washington State forward, Lian Dao's deceptive dribbles consistently outwitted defenders, creating scoring opportunities with well-timed fake moves.
By the game's end, Lian Dao had delivered a standout performance, matching his season-high with 42 points, 6 assists, and 6 rebounds. Notably, he made 12 of 18 three-point attempts, coming close to tying the NCAA single-game record of 15 three-pointers set by Keith Pooh in 1996.
As the final buzzer sounded, Klay Thompson approached Lian Dao with a request: "Can we swap jerseys?"
Lian Dao, honored by the gesture, replied enthusiastically, "Of course! I'm honored!"
Thompson clarified his intention with a competitive edge, "Don't think I was defeated by you. I just want to beat you in our next match!"
Understanding Thompson's competitive spirit, Lian Dao smiled, "Of course not! I look forward to your challenge. Let's meet in the playoffs!"
Thompson agreed, "I'll be waiting for you in the playoffs!"
Their exchange of jerseys, captured by Harland's camera, symbolized mutual respect and admiration between two skilled athletes. It became a moment celebrated by fans, highlighting the camaraderie and sportsmanship that define college basketball. This interaction illustrated how the game transcends competition, forging bonds between players who, through basketball, become not only rivals but also friends bonded by their shared passion for the sport.