The fiery Musselman tossed a hand in dismissal at one of the referees after the postgame buzzer sounded, USC playing much of the second half with multiple players in foul trouble. He was frustrated, Musselman acknowledged postgame, with the way the game was called. But there wasn’t an excuse, the head coach added. Michigan won.

After Danny Wolf passed to Tre Donaldson, who passed to Vladislav Goldin for a fast-break dunk, Donaldson flexed in front of the Michigan bench, behind which fans in maize and blue roared in approval.

USC’s interior defense will continue to be an issue. Eric Musselman will continue to chip away in an attempt to solve the problem.