Chad Baker-Mazara's time with USC is over.
The Trojans announced Sunday afternoon that Baker-Mazara was no longer with the program, marking a stunning development for the team as it enters the final stretch of the regular season and the Big Ten tournament.
According toThe Los Angeles Times' Ryan Kartje, there wasn't one specific incident but "an accumulation of issues" that led to his dismissal. Further specifics on his departure are not yet known.
Baker-Mazara, 26, transferred into USC this season. The former Auburn star has averaged 18.5 points, 4.2 rebounds and 2.8 assists per game this season with the Trojans, all of which have been career highs. He's USC's leading scorer and was the Maui Invitational MVP in November.
Baker-Mazara played just 19 minutes in the team's 82-67 loss to No. 12 Nebraska on Saturday. He went down with an apparent leg injury early in the second half after blocking a shot and did not return.
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Can USC make the NCAA tournament without Baker-Mazara?
Baker-Mazara's departure is coming at an awful time for the Trojans and head coach Eric Musselman.
USC has just two games left in the regular season, first at Washington on Wednesday and then at home against UCLA on Saturday. Both of those are games the Trojans will have to win if they want any shot at making it into the NCAA tournament.
Saturday's loss to Nebraska marked the Trojans' fifth straight. They've not beaten a ranked opponent all season and sit at just 18-11. They have significant work to do in order to make it to the tournament, a place the program hasn't been since 2023.
But it isn't out of the question. If the Trojans can end the regular season on a two-game win streak and then make a decent run in the Big Ten tournament in Chicago, an at-large bid certainly isn't out of the question.
But now, without Baker-Mazara around, pulling off that feat is going to be much more difficult for the Trojans.
Chad Baker-Mazara's time with USC is over. The Trojans announced Sunday afternoon that Baker-Mazara was ...
