When they first met more than four decades ago now, the four freshmen on the University of San Diego’s men’s basketball team in 1983 didn’t need long too figure out who would lead them. Eric Musselman had all but elected himself within moments of moving into their dorm room.
“Before I could even drop my bag on the bed, Eric goes, ‘OK, we’re going to the gym,'” recalled Scott Thompson, San Diego’s 7-foot center. “He’d barely said hello.”
Eric Musselman’s competitive fire was evident even as a college player
One day, during Musselman’s freshman season, then-Clipper forward Bill Walton walked into San Diego’s gym for an impromptu pick-up game. In picking teams, he left out musselman, who didn’t appreciate the snub.
so Musselman grabbed the gym’s keys, turned the lights out and locked the doors.
“I told Bill Walton, ‘Hey man, I’m either in the first game, or we’re not playing,” Musselman said.
right away, Musselman was “laser-focused,” his friends say, on following in his father’s footsteps in basketball. So San Diego’s staff held him to a higher standard consequently. When Thompson, a future NBA draft pick, broke his toe playing a game of barefoot football in the middle of their freshman season, it was Musselman who got the brunt of the blame.
“Eric got called out,” says Steve Krallman,another teammate,”because they thought he should have known better.”
San Diego still won the West Coast Athletic Conference title for the first time that season,earning the school’s first NCAA tournament bid. But the 12th-seed Toreros lost to fifth-seeded Princeton. Musselman played one minute – and still took two shots.
That offseason, their coach, jim Brovelli, left to restart the hoops program at his alma mater, San Francisco. That’s when Musselman so generously offered to take the reins.
San Diego ultimately went with Hank Egan.
But Egan came to rely on Musselman right away. Every game day, Musselman said, Egan would
Eric Musselman brings Arkansas’ winning formula to USC basketball
By luca Evans
Eric Musselman is no stranger to turning programs around. Now, he’s tasked with doing it at USC.
The Trojans officially introduced Musselman as their new men’s basketball coach on Monday, hoping he can replicate the success he had at Arkansas and bring USC back to national prominence.
“I’m incredibly excited to join the Trojan family,” Musselman said during the introductory press conference. “USC is a special place with a rich tradition, and I’m eager to build a championship-caliber program here.”
Musselman, 59, arrives at USC after spending five seasons at Arkansas, where he transformed the Razorbacks into a consistent NCAA tournament contender. He led Arkansas to three Sweet Sixteen appearances and a trip to the Elite Eight in 2022. before Arkansas, he had triumphant stints at Nevada and UNLV, consistently elevating those programs.
his coaching style is known for its defensive intensity, fast-paced offense, and emphasis on player development. He’s also a master recruiter, having brought in several highly-rated players to Arkansas.
“We’re going to play fast, we’re going to be aggressive, and we’re going to prioritize defence,” Musselman stated. “We’re going to build a culture of toughness and accountability.”
USC is coming off a disappointing season where they finished 15-18 and missed the NCAA tournament. The program has been hampered by off-court issues and inconsistent play.Musselman’s arrival is seen as a much-needed boost for the Trojans.
“Eric is a proven winner and a relentless competitor,” USC athletic director Jennifer Cohen said. “He has a clear vision for the future of our basketball program, and we are confident that he will lead us to great things.”
Musselman faces several challenges at USC, including navigating the transfer portal and building a cohesive roster. The Pac-12 is also undergoing significant changes with the departure of several key programs.However, with his track record of success and his energetic approach, Musselman is optimistic about the future of USC basketball.
“This is a great possibility, and I’m ready to get to work,” Musselman said. “We’re going to build something special here at USC.”
USC’s Eric Musselman cherishes bonds with San diego teammates ahead of Tuesday’s matchup
USC men’s basketball coach Eric Musselman values the relationships forged during his time as a player at the University of san Diego, and frequently invites former teammates to speak to his current team about the lasting impact of their college experience. This connection will be notably poignant on Tuesday when Musselman faces his former teammates, who are now staunch Trojan fans – though their allegiance may be tested.
Musselman,who played point guard for the Toreros in the 1980s,maintains close contact with his former teammates. He routinely texts them after USC games, sharing updates – especially after victories. A group text remained quiet following USC’s loss to Washington on Saturday.
“I always have them talk to the team about relationships,” Musselman said, as reported by the Los Angeles Times. “To think,the team that I played with in 1987,so many of them will be at this game or they’ll come to a USC game. … That just doesn’t happen very frequently enough.”
Former teammate Mark Thompson credits Musselman with maintaining those bonds. “Eric has always been the bond, frankly,” Thompson stated.
The enduring connection speaks to the impact of their shared college experience. Musselman describes his teammates as “like my brothers,” and emphasizes the significance of the relationships built during that time.
Despite their loyalty to Musselman and the Trojans, Tuesday’s game presents a unique challenge for the former Toreros.The matchup is sure to evoke cherished memories of their time playing together at San Diego.
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