Eric Dixon's second-half scoring barrage leads Villanova past USC, into semifinals

LAS VEGAS — The most spirited matchup across the first four days of the inaugural College Basketball Crown, a game between two of the field's most well-respected brands in Villanova and USC, both of power-conference lore, was distilled to this: less than a minute remaining, the score tied, the best player from each team given one chance with the ball in their respective hands and a guaranteed financial reward on the line.

From his position on the right wing, Villanova star Eric Dixon pondered and probed his isolation duel with Rashaun Agee, a springy big man who poured in 22 points on Thursday night. He peppered his jab step as the clock melted beneath 30 seconds, weighing the decision to drive or shoot. He pump-faked to test Agee's resolve, knowing full well that USC, just like every team Dixon has faced this season, implores its players not to fall for his savvy antics. But Agee bit, Dixon jumped, and a referee blew the whistle. Dixon made one free-throw to give the Wildcats a one-point lead.

At the opposite end of the court, the Trojans turned to leading scorer Desmond Claude, a slashing guard who'd been quiet for most of this quarterfinal matchup. Claude nimbly split two defenders off a pick and roll before contorting his body to create a sliver of space at the rim, where his right-handed layup cruelly spun in and out, dangling above the cylinder momentarily before Dixon — of course — could snatch it away: Villanova 60, USC 59. Final.

"He's a great player," USC head coach Eric Musselman said when asked about Dixon during the postgame news conference. "He knows how to draw fouls. We were supposed to stay down on the pump fake, and then obviously the last point of the game was off of a pump fake. But he's Villanova's