O’Neill wants Trojans to improve in the second half


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Kevin O’Neill was content with his debut but wouldn’t stand for his team’s imperfections.

The new head coach of USC men’s basketball made that message loud and clear after earning his first win with the Trojans on Tuesday against UC Riverside. The Trojans’ lead was never threatened, but spurts of sloppy play in the second half marred an otherwise easy victory.

Transfer penalty · Marcus Johnson must sit out against LMU since he played in an exhibition game for UConn before transferring to USC. - Nathaniel Gonzalez | Daily Trojan

Transfer penalty · Marcus Johnson must sit out against LMU since he played in an exhibition game for UConn before transferring to USC. - Nathaniel Gonzalez | Daily Trojan

“For the most part we played solid enough basketball to win by 10 points, but we’ve got to play better as time goes on,” O’Neill said after the game.

USC (1-0) will try to clear up those issues when it hosts Loyola Marymount (1-3) Saturday at 5 p.m. at the Galen Center.

The Trojans are still expected to be short-handed with several players sidelined by injuries and eligibility issues. Redshirt junior forward Alex Stepheson is battling a knee injury and redshirt senior forward Marcus Johnson must sit out Saturday’s game to fulfill an NCAA requirement for playing an exhibition at Connecticut before transferring to USC.

Sophomore forward Leonard Washington and redshirt senior guard Mike Gerrity will not be available until the end of the semester.

Sophomore guard Percy “Romeo” Miller will be available to USC after missing the opener because of an NCAA eligibility issue.

Miller’s return could help extend the bench for a team that saw four players play 33 minutes or more in its opener.

“I doubt any of these guys have played these kinds of minutes in their life,” O’Neill said.

The Lions are coming off a season full of turmoil and disappointment with only three wins. Coach Max Good took over for Bill Bayno midway through the season after Bayno had been on an extended medical leave.

But with their four leading scorers returning and four games under their belt already, the Lions may have experience on their side. LMU has kept all three of its losses close, losing by an average of less than four points.

Oregon transfer forward Drew Viney has stood out for the Lions with his early season play. The freshman from Villa Park, Calif., scored 30 points against UC Irvine and 22 points against Montana.

USC has had an overwhelming advantage in its series against LMU, holding a 41-5 all-time record against the Lions. The Trojans hold an eight-game winning streak in the series and have not lost since 1996.