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The root cause of USC's basketball success this season just might be ... beet juice?

For USC's basketball team, success has not been sweet. It tastes a little earthy and a tad gritty — a bit like eating dirt, some players say.

Turns out, success tastes like beet juice.

Since the season started, the Trojans have chugged beet juice before workouts, vigorous practices and games.

It will be the team appetizer before a first-round NCAA tournament game against Providence on Thursday in Raleigh, N.C. — even if they don't necessarily savor the flavor.

"You ever have some spicy food, and it kind of comes back up?