UCLA stands in the way of USC playing in both the Ladies and Men's Tennis finals.

The Ladies square off at 10am PDT while the Men get started at 2pm PDT.

So. Cal. '52 will be running the thread today...

Join us here!

FIGHT ON!

Watching #1 singles player Steven Johnson defeat Dukes Henrique Cunha (#5 ranked player) 6-4, 6-0, it was like he was just hanging around, then decided to run all over Cunda. This was only the sixth match of the year that Cunda has lost and was the 2nd time he played Johnson (4-6, 3-3 unfinished), in a Feb match at the indoors. This time Johnson put the pedal to the metal and won his 23rd and 63rd match in a row, totally dominating men's NCAA tennis. In the second set Cunda couldn't handle Steves first serves (as a friend of mine said Steves serves were bouncing up to 6' plus up to 130) and then Johnson started owning the returns, along with most of the points played.

But the first player to finish was Danny Nguyen with a 6-3, 6-1 win over Torsten Wietoska who he beat 4&2 back in the Feb. indoor match, Dan is one of USC most reliable players in the NCAA tournament matches. Then Emilo Gomez was then next player to cash in with a 6-4, 6-1 win over Fred Saba, for USC to go up 3-0. Then Duke pulled out a win at #5, but it was Steve Johnson for the final point. USC will face Ucla a 4-2 winner over OSU tomorrow at 5:00 est--2 pac, Plus a word from Danny Nguyen USC academic all district player after the jump.

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The Women of Troy Moved past the Cardinal to the semi-finals with a 4-2 victory and will face #1 Ucla for the third time this season, they are 1-1 on the year. After pulling out the doubles with Lao/ Ramos clinching with a 8-6 win after being 6-6, the trojans handled the #4 seed stanford in singles taking 3 of 5 and leading in the remaining match. In singles the cardinal won the first match at #1 singles Nicole Gibbs over Zoe Scandalis 6-1,6-4, Gibbs dominated the first set only losing her serve and finished off Zoe with a tight second set. Gibbs is the #3 ranked player in the ncaa where Scandalis is only #14, plus stanfords #2 player Mallory Burdette is ranked #5.

With the score now 1-1 USC freshman Gabriella DeSimone at #5 singles played the fastest 3 set match I have ever saw, losing the first set 1-6 but taking the next two 6-2, 6-2 to bring the score to 2-1 trojans. Next Stanfords #6 player Veronica Li beat Valeria Pulido in a close match with a 6-4, 7-5 win to bring the score to 2-2. Now it was up to Trojans Danielle Lao, Sabrina Santamaria, and Kaitlyn Christian all in three set matches by now to get 2 points to win the match. Fisrt to finish was Junior Lao at #2 singles beating the higher ranked Burdette 2-6, 6-4, 6-4 with a great comeback. While Lao was closing out her match, Sabrina was in a third set Tiebreaker and took the early lead of 4-2 but then all of a sudden the score was 5-5 and then she won the next to points to clinch the victory. USC lost to Stanford 4-2 up at stanford 3 weeks back, so this was sweet revenge and one of the few win against the Cardinal in the last couple of years.

Next up the #1 ranked Bruins at 10:00 PST monday.

Go Trojans

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WAY-TOO-EARLY PREDICTION OF USC’S 2012 REGULAR SEASON
Yes, I know. There are too many of these. There are so many things that could happen between now and when fall camp begins. But because I need some form of football to tide me over, here are my optimistic realistic predictions (as of now) for the 2012 season.

HAWAII WARRIORS
While we’ll be in better shape than we were at the season opener for last year, I don’t think the Trojans will be firing on all cylinders yet. I see Barkley perhaps showing a little rust, maybe throwing a pick or two. Based on Woody’s outlook now, I don’t think he will be the main feature as Kiffin and Co. try to keep him recovering and healthy. I do expect Lee to have a monster day. And despite giving up a couple touchdowns, I see our defense coming hot out of the gates and giving a nice, strong showing.
FINAL SCORE PREDICTION
USC – 35 HAWAII – 14

@SYRACUSE ORANGE
It’ll be a fun road game, but the Orange will be outmatched. They might get a hot start, but Barkley and Co. will diffuse the crowd quickly. I see the offense still working through some things, and we see Flournoy and others step to the plate when we take the lead. I predict McNeal having a breakout performance. The defense might be affected by crowd noise and what not, but will find their footing and TMac will have some picks.
FINAL SCORE PREDICTION
USC – 38 SYRACUSE – 14

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I didn't know Paul Dee.

I would venture to guess that many outside the upper echelons of the NCAA didn't know Paul Dee either.

At least not the Paul Dee that Ivan Maisel describes here...

Former Miami athletic director Paul Dee, who died Saturday night at age 65, was a gentle man and a gentleman who loved his university and served it in various roles for three decades. Dee, an attorney by trade, shunned the spotlight and valued loyalty. He brought back former ‘Canes assistant Butch Davis as head coach. He promoted assistants Larry Coker and Randy Shannon as his next two hires. USC fans never forgave him for his role as chair of the NCAA Committee on Infractions when it ruled on the Reggie Bush scandal. Yet those who knew him knew a man of integrity and a good guy.

I vehemently disagree about Dee being a man of integrity.

His famous quote of "high-profile players demand high-profile compliance" will live on forever...especially when a mere fifteen months later, the very university that Maisel claims that Dee loved so much was caught in a scandal that was far greater than the one that Dee hammered USC for.

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