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The Arizona Wildcats will be without not one but two key players Thursday at USC.
First it was announced that starting wing Josh Green is out for at least the next two games with a lower back injury, then it was revealed that reserve guard Max Hazzard is out for “personal reasons,” according to the UA (h/t to Bruce Pascoe of the Arizona Daily Star):
Max Hazzard is also out tonight for what UA is calling "personal reasons." I asked UA officials an hour ago if he was out and was told there was nothing up with him.
— Bruce Pascoe (@BrucePascoe) February 28, 2020
With Green and Hazzard out, Arizona is down to eight healthy scholarship players in Los Angeles.
Losing Green strips Arizona of their best transition scorer and perimeter defender, while Hazzard rids them of their second-best 3-point shooter and bench scorer.
Ira Lee is starting in Green’s place, his first start since last season, as Arizona goes with a big lineup to counter USC’s star-studded frontcourt.