Overstepping bounds with eye black rules


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Who knew that freedom of speech doesn’t extend to facial accessories? OK, so the Bill of Rights doesn’t guarantee one’s ability to provide shoutouts during college football games by writing messages on eye black ­— those small, dark strips you see your favorite players wearing just above their cheekbones. And as history has shown, if […]

Olympics only thing not dull in February


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I know it. You know it. We all know it. When it comes to sporting events, February is about as exciting as the alligator exhibit at the Los Angeles Zoo. Other than the occasional devouring of children, it is monotonous and bland, offering spurts of curiosity only to tease us and revert back to its […]

High flying ex-Trojan DeRozan on display


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It’s a bird, it’s a plane, it’s … DeMar DeRozan? Not quite. But for this weekend, he will have to do. Nobody is going to mistake the former USC basketball star for Superman. Nobody will even mistake him for Super Dwight. But on Saturday night, DeMar DeRozan will have me watching the slam dunk competition […]

Rivalry game needs a Valentine’s Day boost


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The first thing I noticed when USC released its men’s basketball schedule was that odd date for the Trojans to host UCLA. Hey, isn’t that Valentine’s Day? The scheduling didn’t make sense at first, but now I think I get it. This is a rivalry game that needs to be shown some love. Based on […]

Sills’ recruitment a sign of the times


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Less than a week ago, most people were praising Lane Kiffin’s recruiting tactics after, according to Rivals.com, he signed the No. 1 recruiting class in the nation. That praise may have been a bit premature. It was reported Thursday that the new USC football coach spoke to 13-year-old star quarterback David Sills, a seventh-grade student […]

Vucevic, O’Neill a perfect fit for USC


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Someone asked Nikola Vucevic after USC’s 66-63 win over California on Thursday if he enjoyed being put on the spot near the end of the game, when he knocked down four free throws in a span of 10 seconds to secure a crucial victory for the Trojans. The sophomore didn’t hesitate. “When I made them, […]

Neuheisel displays fortitude crosstown


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Three weeks ago, UCLA football coach Rick Neuheisel stood in front of a packed crowd at Pauley Pavilion during halftime and delivered a rousing speech about the return of Bruin football. “We are not going to rest until we bring back the Pac-10 championship, the Rose Bowl championship and the national championship back to UCLA!” […]

Trojans finish signing day with a flourish


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Lane Kiffin entered the Varsity Lounge of Heritage Hall on Wednesday bleary-eyed and with a blank expression. Clearly, this was a man who was running on little sleep. But after a tiring homestretch to national signing day, Kiffin can take solace in the famous line from Glengarry Glen Ross — “coffee is for closers.” The […]

A day of false hope and broken promises


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It’s finally here. It’s the day when chiseled, egotistical high school seniors all over the country honor the 51st anniversary of Buddy Holly’s tragic death by taking a few lines out of Don McLean’s “American Pie.” And I knew if I had my chance / That I could make those people dance / And maybe […]