INGLEWOOD — Three games into head coach Eric Musselman’s second USC campaign, the Trojans seem to have formed an identity. Despite retooling the majority of the roster, these Trojans understand who they are, and the results have followed.

They are long, athletic, and versatile. Disruptive on defense and reliant on two wily guards to ignite the offense.

On Friday, both Rodney Rice and Chad Baker-Mazara took turns as the engine. Rice set a patient tone, contributing across the board with 21 points, 10 assists and 10 rebounds as USC shot out to a 20-point lead. But when Illinois State pushed back, Baker-Mazara took responsibility as the closer, shutting the door on the Redbirds in an 87-67 win.

While the guards controlled the offense, the fortress of perimeter length held the Redbirds to 3

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