Aug. 23, 2007

The USC men's basketball team, fresh off a trip to the 2007 NCAA Sweet 16, began practice yesterday (Aug. 22) in preparation for an exhibition series in Mazatlan, Mexico on Sept. 1 and 2.

Tim Floyd, who has won the most games by a USC basketball head coach in his first two seasons (42-25), began preparation for the trip at the Galen Center with the returning Trojans. On Aug. 27 when classes begin, the incoming freshman class, ranked No. 1 during the regular signing period by ESPN and HoopsScoop and featuring O.J. Mayo, will begin practice.

USC's leading returning scorer is sophomore forward Taj Gibson who averaged 12.2 points last season and was selected to the Pac-10 All-Freshman Team.

The Trojans will play doubleheaders in Mazatlan on Sept. 1 and Sept. 2 against the Lobos Grises de Durango and the Caballeros de Sinaloa.

Regular practice for the 2007-08 men's basketball season will not begin until mid-October.