USC confirmed Sunday that guard Chad Baker‑Mazara is no longer with the men’s basketball program, a sudden development that raises fresh questions about the Trojans’ NCAA tournament prospects with just two regular-season games left. The move follows an apparent leg injury Baker‑Mazara suffered late in Saturday’s loss to Nebraska.
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The program released a brief statement saying Baker‑Mazara had been removed from the roster. The school did not provide medical details or a timeline for his departure, and it remains unclear whether the injury observed Saturday is connected to the decision announced Sunday.
What happened during the Nebraska game
Late in Saturday’s contest, Baker‑Mazara took a hard fall near the baseline and left the court with what was described at the time as a leg issue. Head coach Eric Musselman told reporters afterward that the guard told staff he could not continue and that he had not yet spoken with the training staff about Baker‑Mazara’s condition.
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After a brief trip to the locker room, Baker‑Mazara returned and sat courtside for the remainder of the game rather than on the team bench — a detail noted by reporters covering the game. The team announced his departure the following day.
Player profile and recent production
Chad Baker‑Mazara, a graduate transfer from Auburn, had been one of USC’s primary scorers this season. In 26 appearances for the Trojans he was averaging strong numbers for a midseason addition and previously helped Auburn to a deep NCAA run in 2024‑25.
| Stat | Season total / average |
|---|---|
| Games played | 26 |
| Points per game | 18.5 |
| Rebounds per game | 4.2 |
| Assists per game | 2.8 |
| Previous school | Auburn |
Immediate implications for USC’s season
The Trojans were already navigating a depleted roster: forward Rodney Rice has been out since December after season‑ending shoulder surgery. Losing Baker‑Mazara removes a primary scoring option down the stretch, compounding a slide that has seen USC lose five straight games, including recent setbacks to UCLA and Nebraska.
- Rotation impact: Expect increased minutes for remaining guards and a heavier reliance on younger players.
- NCAA bubble: Analysts had already listed USC among teams on the wrong side of the cut; the margin for error is now smaller.
- Path forward: With two regular‑season games remaining — including a final matchup with UCLA — USC likely needs to win out and then make a strong showing in the Big Ten tournament to secure an at‑large berth.
- Medical clarity: The program has not released further medical information or an official explanation linking the injury to the roster decision.
Earlier this week, Sports Illustrated analyst Kevin Sweeney projected USC among the first four teams out of the NCAA field. The team’s recent results have not improved that outlook; the loss of a top scorer deepens the challenge of reversing momentum before Selection Sunday.
USC faces Washington and UCLA in its remaining regular‑season games. How the roster adjusts over the next two weeks will shape whether the Trojans can still claim an at‑large spot or must rely on a strong conference tournament run to extend their season.
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