USC basketball continues to make Tim Floyd proud

[Russ Smith]

For those who missed the Oklahoma win over USC last night before Texas beat UCLA, here's a clip of the now infamous Leonard Washington cheapshot on Blake Griffin.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gu1yzliqlVw

Now I think Griffin probably exaggerated it a bit but after he missed the 2 freethrows they took him out and he sat for several minutes, during which time USC rallied and made the game close.

Tim Floyd has even admitted that Washington lied to him and said "I didn't do it." When floyd saw the replay he went over to Washington and they had a short shouting match on the bench.

Hackett was a complete thug in this game too, staring guys down, at one point he tried to draw a charge didn't get the call, and on his back stuck his foot out trying to trip the OU player dribbling upcourt. Anybody who was surprised that Mayo clocked that guy last year now should understand why.

nice win for Texas I actually thought the game wasn't going to be that close I figured Texas would win by double digits so I was encouraged to see UCLA come back and make it close. Only 3 points combined from the vaunted recruiting class, that's the key to UCLA this year how fast the freshmen improve.

 

[Russ Smith]

I guess youtube pulled that link too bad it's the best one that allows you to freeze so you can see that Washington actually did hit Griffin in the nuts.

What makes this funny is that one USC "reporter"(for a USC website he's a former walk on player at SC) says he talked to Leonard immediately after the game and he was really upset with himself for losing it but insisted that he was retaliating for "30 minutes of being poked in the ribs and shoved in the back by Griffin" and that he absolutely did NOT hit him in the nuts. the reporter Chris Penrose said for some reason people aren't interested in hearing that side of the story, I would submit it's because there is video evidence that PROVES he did in fact hit him in the nuts. So that's now 2 clear instances where Washington has lied, first he told Tim Floyd he didn't do it when he did, now he's telling reporters lies about where he hit him.

AS for it being retaliation immediately prior to the play Griffin passes to his brother for a layup and in pursuing a possible rebound pushes Washington in the back. Washington flops and goes flying out of bounds trying to draw a foul, doesn't get the call, and then runs downcourt and nails Griffin.

Apparently despite all the denials from Washington and USC fans, TIm Floyd admits it happened because he's suspending Washington for the first half of their next game against Pepperdine.

And USC had yet another kid transfer as Marcus Simmons announced he's leaving. I have lost count of how many USC players have left under Floyd, it's stunning the turnover on their roster.