For a second time in the past two weeks, the UCLA Bruins will look to defeat the USC Trojans. This time UCLA will do it without having to face Chad Baker-Mazara, as the Trojans dismissed Baker-Mazara earlier this month.
Baker-Mazara was having a solid season for USC, putting up 11.3 points and 3.2 rebounds. One of Baker-Mazara’s better performances this season came against the Bruins, where he scored 25 points and eight rebounds, knocking down five threes.
So why did USC dismiss Baker-Mazara? The Los Angeles Times reported earlier this week that there had been several issues between Baker-Mazara and the team, with the LA Times that the dismissal “stemmed from an accumulation of behavioral and disciplinary issues throughout the season, not a single incident.”
Baker-Mazara has certainly had a unique college experience. He’s 26-years old and is with fifth college program, having played with Duquesne, San Diego State, Northwest Florida State, Auburn and now USC. Baker-Mazara only stuck around for a second season with Auburn, being one-and-done at his other four schools.
Baker-Mazara was injured during a game against Nebraska, the guard did not re-enter the game which capped off his collegiate career.
“He said he couldn’t go,” USC head coach Eric Musselman told reporters after the game.
Details are still sparse about what Baker-Mazara did to set off the USC program but it gives Mick Cronin and the Bruins one less thing to worry about for their matchup on Saturday. Musselman is yet to beat UCLA and Cronin since taking over as the Trojans head coach, having gone 0-3 against the Bruins.
This article originally appeared on UCLA Wire: UCLA won’t have to worry about Chad Baker-Mazara on Saturday
Reporting by Dylan McNeill, UCLA Wire / UCLA Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
