July 31, 2007

Trojans, Titans to face early challenges
The Orange County Register

USC and Cal State Fullerton will face projected Top 25 teams in the nonconference portion of their respective 2007-08 men's basketball schedules, which were released Tuesday.

USC, which is coming off a Sweet 16 appearance last March but lost its three leading scorers, will be challenged early. The Trojans has nonconference games against Oklahoma, Kansas and Memphis, and they also will play in a nationally televised tournament in Anaheim against well-regarded Mississippi State and Southern Illinois teams.

Coach Tim Floyd began assembling the schedule before he learned that juniors Nick Young and Gabe Pruitt would enter the NBA draft. He said much of the pressure will fall on highly touted incoming guard O.J. Mayo and the other freshmen.

CSF will make trips to Arizona, Boise State and Montana to highlight the Titans' early nonconference schedule.

The Titans also travel to Tucson on Nov. 28 for the first time since the 1983-84 season, Coach Lute Olson's first with the Wildcats. That trip is part of a two-game swing that takes Fullerton to Missoula, Mont., on Nov. 30.

The Titans open play with an exhibition against Biola, then play hosts to Cal State Bakersfield, Cal State Los Angeles and San Francisco before embarking on a four-game trip.

They return home for two games: Dec. 20 against Montana and Dec. 22 against NCAA participant Wright State in the return game of the ESPNU Bracket Buster contest.

Fullerton then plays at the Saint Mary's Tournament before opening Big West play against UC Irvine at home.