GAME NOTES: The Charleston Classic tip offs at TD Arena on Thursday afternoon with a first-round matchup between the USC Trojans and the Akron Zips.

The winner advances to Friday's semifinals to play the winner of the Drexel/Miami-Florida matchup, with the losers facing off in the consolation bracket.

USC began its season in disappointing fashion last Saturday by losing on its home floor to Portland State, 76-68. However, it got back on track on Monday against Tennessee Tech with a 70-58 triumph

Akron has played just one game in the opening week of the season, as it made easy work of UMBC at home last Friday, 74-57.

The Trojans and the Zips have never before played one another.

The Trojans controlled their last game from the opening tip, as they shot 44.7 percent from the field while holding TTU To a mere 33.8 percent shooting in a game they never trailed. Their defense was especially impressive on the perimeter, as they held their opponent to only 1-of-18 shooting from 3-point range. Katin Reinhardt poured in a game-high 19 points, knocking down all seven of his free-throw attempts. Jordan McLaughlin chipped in across the stat sheet with 15 points, seven assists, four rebounds and four steals, while Julian Jacobs added nine points and six rebounds.

Despite outshooting its opponents on the young season, 48.9 percent to 36.4 percent, USC only has a +2.0 scoring margin, which is mostly due to its inability to hold onto the ball with a staggering -10.0 turnover margin. McLaughling is the leading scorer with 17.0 ppg and also finds time to hand out 7.5 apg. Reinhardt (15.0 ppg) is the only other player in double figures.

Although Akron trailed by eight early in its opener, it pieced together a 20-2 run late in the first half to take control of the game and eventually cruised to a 14-point win. It shot 47.2 percent from the field and made 12 3-pointers, which helped make up for a poor showing at the free-throw line (12-of-21). Jake Kretzer provided a spark off the bench, knocking down 3-of-4 from beyond the arc for 13 points. Demetrius Treadwell tallied a double-double with 10 points and 13 rebounds, while Reggie McAdams and Kwan Cheatham Jr. both put up nine points.

USC's perimeter defense is good enough to slow down Akron's 3-point shooting attack, and if the Trojans can keep their turnovers in check they should find a way to advance.