The Los Angeles Times reports that damage caused by Hurricane Dean has upset the Trojan men’s basketball team’s plans for games this weekend in Mazatlan, Mexico. Although the team is still in Mexico for the weekend–and still staying in Mazatlan–the nearest usable gym is now a two-hour bus ride away from their hotel. USC hopes to play a doubleheader tonight in Culiacan (if they can make it there on time), but may scrap another doubleheader originally planned for tomorrow. The players are now looking at the Mexico trip as a bonding experience rather than a chance to get in some game experience (although the real long-term benefit will likely prove to be the extra practices they were able to get in over the past two weeks).

Also of note: guard Daniel Hackett was excused from the trip so that he can rest up after spending the latter half of the summer playing for Italy’s under-20 team.

USC’s trip to Mexico is no vacation (Los Angeles Times)