GAME NOTES: Following an embarrassing loss in the season opener, the USC Trojans will try again against the Tennessee Tech Golden Eagles at the Galen Center on Monday night.

Tennessee Tech won in its season opener, crushing Piedmont International, 83-29. The Golden Eagles are coming off a 17-16 campaign, which was a solid improvement over the 12-17 effort put forth the season before. Home games against Chattanooga and Southeastern Louisiana are next on the schedule.

After suffering through an 11-21 campaign last season, USC fans cannot be pleased with the team's start to this one. The Trojans lost to visiting Portland State, 76-68, on Saturday to start the season 0-1. Up next, they will take part in the Charleston Classic next weekend.

This game marks the first time these two schools have ever met in men's basketball.

Tennessee Tech did not get much of a challenge from Piedmont in the season opener. The Golden Eagles limited the NCCAA Division II school to only eight field goals, while shooting 45.8 percent from the floor themselves. They also owned hefty advantages in rebounds (61-28) and a 54-6 scoring edge in the paint.

It is unlikely that Tennessee Tech will be as potent offensively going forward. After all, the Golden Eagles finished ninth in the Ohio Valley Conference in scoring last season (72.1 ppg). Mason Ramsey and Dwan Caldwell were the leading offensive options against Piedmont, with each scoring 14 points. Caldwell did so on 6-of-9 shooting in only 17 minutes. Ramsey came off the bench and hit 6-of-11 shots, while ripping down 14 rebounds as well. Charles Jackson also had a double-double in the game, finishing with 10 points and 13 rebounds, while Josiah Moore chipped in 11 points. In all, 12 different players scored at least a point for the Golden Eagles, but expect a more concentrated spread in this one.

Turnovers absolutely killed USC in its loss to Portland State. The Trojans coughed up the ball 23 times, while forcing only four turnovers from the Vikings. Aside from those mistakes, the Trojans played well offensively, shooting at a 53.2 percent clip in the game overall. They also held a 43-25 advantage in rebounds.

At the very least, USC's shooting was a positive sign. The Trojans ranked 10th in the Pac-12 in field goal percentage (.439) and scoring (70.6 ppg) last season. Jordan McLaughlin was the leading scorer in the opener, finishing with 19 points as well as six assists. However, he was not as careful with the ball as he could have been, turning the ball over seven times. Julian Jacobs and Nikola Jovanovic each struggled with ball control as well, with the duo combing for 10 turnovers, which was the same as their combined point production. Katin Reinhardt finished with 11 points and Malik Martin contributed 10 as well, while Darion Clark scored eight points off the bench. He was the only reserve to play 20 minutes or more.

Clearly, the Trojans have some skill on offense. If USC can fix its issues with ball security, it should be able to win this game.