The Trojans (2-1) will make their first nationally televised appearances of the season when they play three games in the inaugural Anaheim Classic Tournament at the Anaheim Convention Center beginning on Thanksgiving night.

USC update and injury notes
After losing their season opener at home to Mercer, the Trojans picked up two road victories against The Citadel and South Carolina, thanks in no small part to the return from injury of guard Daniel Hackett, who averaged 21.5 points in the two games and provided steady, veteran leadership. Freshman OJ Mayo leads the Trojans in scoring through their first three games, averaging 25.7 points (on close to 50% shooting from the field) and adding 6 rebounds and over 4 assists per game. Fellow freshman guard Marcus Simmons re-injured his ankle in practice this week and appears unlikely to play in the tournament. Forward Davon Jefferson is still learning coach Tim Floyd’s system and may finally make his USC debut during one of the three games, although Floyd won’t commit to a specific game.

Game 1: Thursday, 9:00p vs. San Diego
USC last played the Toreros in 2004, winning 87-75. This year’s San Diego team is 2-2, winning their first two games but then falling to UNLV and San Diego State. They return four starters from last year’s 18-14 squad, and are led by junior forward Gyno Pomare, who averages 17.3 points and 9.3 rebounds per game. The Trojans will have a size advantage over the Toreros, and San Diego does not shoot the ball particularly well, so expect USC to come out on top if they play a solid game and if Taj Gibson can neutralize Pomare. The game will be televised on ESPN2 (and is conveniently scheduled to start after the conclusion of USC’s football game, on ESPN at 5:00p).

Game 2: Friday, 7:00p OR 9:30p vs. Miami of Ohio OR Southern Alabama
On Friday at 9:30p (on ESPN2), the winner of the USC-San Diego matchup will play the winner of Thursday night’s Miami (Ohio)-Southern Alabama contest, and the losers of each game will similarly play each other at 7:00p (on ESPNU). The Miami RedHawks were victorious in their only game of the season (over Xavier), and are led by 6′6″ senior forward Tim Pollitz, who scored 21 points in the opener and averaged about 16 a game last season. The South Alabama Jaguars are 2-1 on the season, with senior guard Demetric Bennett averaging 19.7 points and 7.3 rebounds.

Game 3: Sunday, TBD
If the Trojans manage to win their first two games, they will play against the tournament’s other undefeated team on Sunday night at 8:00p on ESPN2. Otherwise, they will participate in one of three consolation games earlier that same day, televised on either ESPNU or ESPN2. The most interesting (and challenging) potential matchup would be for the Trojans to take on the 19th-ranked Southern Illinois Salukis, the only ranked team in the tournament. Other possibilities include Mississippi State, Tenn.-Chattanooga, or tournament host school UC Irvine.

Official Anaheim Classic site
USC To Face San Diego On Thanksgiving In Inaugural Anaheim Classic (Official USC site)
Anaheim Classic preview (Rivals)
Jefferson might not be ready yet (LA Times)