Even though 2023 is unknown, USC basketball could be creating something special for 2024
The USC Trojans found themselves on the wrong end of the NCAA Tournament bubble in January 15. They are not among four of the top teams in the field. They might be part of the “next four out” at best. Most likely, they’re in the 9-15 range. If they are on the bubble, it’s at the very low end. They have two months to make a change, starting with the next critical series of games against UCLA and Arizona schools.
Maybe it won’t work out for USC this season, but the Trojans haven’t been playing with a full allotment of resources. Not having big man Vince Iwuchukwu — who finally joined the lineup this week after his cardiac arrest episode in July, but played very sparingly and will be brought along slowly — has limited what this team can do. That is frustrating … but it also opens the door to what’s possible next season if Iwuchukwu returns.
Imagine a full-speed Iwuchukwu, playing anything more than 25 minutes per game, performing alongside elite point guard Isaiah Collier and Collier’s Wheeler High School teammate, forward Arrinten Page. Collier is USC’s playmaking center since Jordan McLaughlin. Collier would be a great match for Page. Iwuchukwu might be Evan Mobley’s roving defense-rebounder Evan Mobley, and he is able to clean the glass while Collier demands attention and draws defenders. You can see how USC’s roster could work beautifully together.
Although USC may not be making the NCAA Tournament this year, the Trojans remain a top-five Pac-12 basketball team. They could do something special if they bring all of their big guns to next season and can land a high-impact transfer through the portal.
Liste
A Trojan tribute to Charles White: 1958-2023
