Cornell-Southern Cal Preview (Dec 19, 2016)

USC will try to build on its best start in nearly half a century when the 23rd-ranked Trojans play host to Cornell on Monday night at the Galen Center in Los Angeles.

USC (10-0) escaped with its unbeaten record intact after a dramatic 82-77 victory over Troy on Saturday night. The Trojans haven't been undefeated at this point in a season since going 16-0 to begin the 1970-71 campaign.

Cornell (2-6) hasn't enjoyed nearly as much success. The Big Red have lost three of its last four games and is coming off a 97-78 loss to Wyoming.

Cornell is likely to encounter a very motivated USC squad after the Trojans survived a scare against Troy. USC trailed at the half for just the second time this season. The Trojans fell behind by 10, trailed by nine with 12:35 to play and were down by three with 1:18 remaining, but Jordan McLaughlin and Chimezie Metu made crucial plays in the final 1:03 to help them prevail.

"We have to come out every game and focus and lock in to that game," Metu said.

McLaughlin presented a different perspective, saying the team could benefit from a comeback victory. The Trojans, who was still missing injured starter Bennie Boatwright, have had five comebacks of at least nine points in their 10 wins this season.

"It was huge to get a win like this," McLaughlin said. "We know we can (rally). It's good for our young guys to get this out of the way. It was big. It helps us mature. Everyone was making big plays down the stretch."

USC coach Andy Enfield praised McLaughlin and Metu for their efforts late in the game. McLaughlin finished with 21 points. Metu had 18 points and eight rebounds.

"Jordan was dominant tonight in the second half to help us win and so was Chimezie," Enfield said. "We're going to do this by committee this year. Our starting lineup has to do a better job of defending and getting us out to a lead."

Elijah Stewart is averaging a team-high 16.5 points and 5.7 rebounds for USC. McLaughlin averages 13.4 points and 4.8 assists. Metu, the team's leading rebounder, is averaging 12.9 points and eight rebounds.

Matt Morgan is leading Cornell in scoring and rebounding, averaging 18.6 points and 5.3 rebounds per game. Stone Gettings is averaging 12 points and 5.1 rebounds. Robert Hatter averages 10 points, 4.5 rebounds and a team-high 2.6 assists.

Cornell is led by first-year coach Brian Earl, who was hired to replace Bill Courtney after the Big Red went 10-18 last season. Players have embraced the change in coaching styles even if it hasn't translated into success yet.

"Last year, it was more listening to the coaches and doing what they wanted rather than listening to each other," Morgan told The Cornell Daily Sun. "We are the ones on the court and we might see things differently than they might see. (Earl has) done a good job of listening to us, and, at the same time, we listen to him just as much."