For the 2nd year in a row, USC's season ended in the first round of the NCAA competition, this time with a 72-62 loss to Michigan State.
It was a frustrating loss for the Trojans, considered that their own offensive imperfections played a major function in the defeat. But getting in the season there was no guarantee this was even a tournament team. Just Drew Peterson and Boogie Ellis were essential rotation pieces a year ago, and the Trojans needed to count on many untested freshmen and sophomores.
Only the group dynamic worked, and the young Trojans turned into some important function players.
Reese Dixon-Waters was Pac-12 Sixth Man of the Year with his ability to rating and defend off the bench. Kobe Johnson led the conference in steals and shot 36% from 3-point variety. Tre White showed flashes as someone who can develop his own shot. Joshua Morgan was a challenging rim protector. Vincent Iwuchukwu had moments on offense when he was healthy sufficient to play. Kijani Wright became a trusted defender.
Which means, progressing, all the pieces are in place to play around the vibrant force that is signing up with the team next year. We'll touch more on him in a moment, however this season might end being took a look at as a springboard to higher success in a year.
Highlights
Does a sweep of the Mountain roadway trip, something the Trojans never ever take for approved. And overcoming a season-opening loss to Florida Gulf Coast to complete connected for second in the Pac-12 was definitely an achievement.
It has to be the way the season ended. Losing to Arizona with straight-out second location on the line, nearly blowing senior day to Arizona State only to come out entirely flat in the Pac-12 competition opener to the Sun Devils was bad enough.
Peterson is finishing, while Ellis has actually explained he plans to forgo his fifth season of eligibility and declare for the NBA draft. The set did an exceptional job leading these young Trojans as captains this season.
He had a tendency to be streaky, Peterson was constantly capable of packing a stat sheet in several ways. And he fought through back spasms over the course of the last 3 weeks of the season, declining to miss out on a game despite his apparent pain.
Ellis' blossoming into a true playmaker was one of the highlights of USC's season. He showed up in
Los Angeles in 2021 as an out of balance video game but a distinguished scorer.
There's no Mobley sibling weighing an NBA decision this spring. Most of USC's contributors are expected to remain for next season, though it's possible there are a couple gamers who decide to develop and move scholarship spots for head coach Andy Enfield and his staff.
Who's on the way
The nation's leading overall recruit, point guard Isaiah Collier, need to light the Galen Center up next season. He likes to press the pace, running in shift and completing with ferocious dunks. He has a smooth jumper and likes to drive to the rim with slippery relocations. And most notably, he is a true point guard who makes creative passes when his gravity inevitably pulls the defense in.
He'll be joined by high school teammate and four-star center Arrinten Page. At 6-foot-9, Page is an athletic, high-flying huge with remarkable chemistry with Collier. And four-star combination guard Silas Demary Jr. complete the recruiting class as a pure scorer.
As of now, all 13 scholarship slots are represented next year. If anyone transfers out, USC would like to add another perimeter scorer who can develop his own shot or a low post huge who can take entry passes and find methods to score.
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