USC beat Arizona State, however ultimate 5 minutes supply a reminder of Trojans’ acquainted flaws
The USC Trojans had a profitable Saturday night time in Tempe. They beat the Arizona State Solar Devils and scored an enormous win for his or her NCAA Event possibilities. USC made a big upward transfer on the bubble. At worst, USC is presently one of many first 4 groups out of the sphere. Some projections may need the Trojans as one of many final 4 groups within the area. They’re positively close to the minimize line, whether or not on the great aspect or the unhealthy one. With Vince Iwuchukwu getting extra taking part in time — extra of an opportunity to point out how massive an element his athleticism could be on the courtroom — USC positively has a greater, extra full crew. Issues are wanting up for Andy Enfield and his crew.
There was just one actually unhealthy factor concerning the win over Arizona State, and it’s going to be a speaking level earlier than Thursday’s huge sport towards UCLA within the Galen Heart: USC went via a horrific four-and-a-half-minute stretch which is able to imply almost-certain defeat towards UCLA and different high quality groups.
One of many massive issues with USC basketball beneath Enfield is that in some unspecified time in the future in an vital sport, the Trojans often endure a depressing stretch of a number of minutes. It’s not only a scoring drought, however a interval of play through which the Trojans commit turnovers and provides the opponent simple baskets.
It’s true that with just below 5 minutes left in regulation, USC had put this sport away towards Arizona State, main 77-53. Nonetheless, everybody on the ground took a complete psychological siesta, a full-blown trip, at that time.
Arizona State scored the ultimate 16 factors of the sport within the final 4 and a half minutes. USC dedicated eight turnovers in that span. The USC lead was by no means decrease than eight factors, however the Solar Devils did have the ball down eight with near half a minute left. They may have been in a position to slice the result in 5 with round 25 seconds remaining, however an ASU turnover ended that chance. USC performed with its meals, and what’s extra is that the starters have been mysteriously left in by Enfield. The backups ought to have been put in with 4:30 left. The starters, up 24 factors, had carried out their job.
At any fee, nonetheless, Andy Enfield has one thing unfavourable he can level out to his crew earlier than the UCLA sport. The Trojans can’t have a kind of horrific four-minute sequences when every little thing collapses.
It might make the distinction between an NCAA Event bid and a spot within the NIT.
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