Post by alanmiller on Nov 1, 2016 15:43:33 GMT -5
www.usatoday.com/story/sports/ncaab/pac12/2016/11/01/pac-12-conference-college-basketball-season-preview-2016-17/93099588/
3. Southern California Trojans
► What to watch: If a high-octane offense is your thing, then this could be your Pac-12 team to watch. After honing his offensive coaching chops at Florida Gulf Coast and refining them with the Trojans, Andy Enfield heads into 2016-17 with a firm handle on what might be the most talented roster of his young coaching career.
► Bottom line: Before last season, many thought this season would be the year USC would make the jump back into the NCAA tournament, but in making last season’s Big Dance, it turned out the Trojans were a year ahead of schedule. Losing Julian Jacobs to the NBA will hurt, but Jordan McLaughlin and Elijah Stewart lead a capable and experienced backcourt, while versatile forward Bennie Boatwright should continue to stretch defenses up front. Mix in athletic sophomore center Chimezie Metu, and the Trojans are primed to compete for a top-three finish in the Pac-12.
Steve Alford's UCLA team lost three times to Andy Enfield's USC team last season. (Photo: Kyle Terada, USA TODAY Sports)
3. Southern California Trojans
► What to watch: If a high-octane offense is your thing, then this could be your Pac-12 team to watch. After honing his offensive coaching chops at Florida Gulf Coast and refining them with the Trojans, Andy Enfield heads into 2016-17 with a firm handle on what might be the most talented roster of his young coaching career.
► Bottom line: Before last season, many thought this season would be the year USC would make the jump back into the NCAA tournament, but in making last season’s Big Dance, it turned out the Trojans were a year ahead of schedule. Losing Julian Jacobs to the NBA will hurt, but Jordan McLaughlin and Elijah Stewart lead a capable and experienced backcourt, while versatile forward Bennie Boatwright should continue to stretch defenses up front. Mix in athletic sophomore center Chimezie Metu, and the Trojans are primed to compete for a top-three finish in the Pac-12.
Steve Alford's UCLA team lost three times to Andy Enfield's USC team last season. (Photo: Kyle Terada, USA TODAY Sports)