LOS ANGELES (AP) — Southern California coach Andy Enfield introduced in one of many nation’s top recruiting lessons to assist the Trojans chase their third straight NCAA Tournament berth.
There’s an enormous question surrounding freshman Vince Iwuchukwu, nonetheless. His taking part in status is up in the air after the 7-foot-1 heart collapsed throughout an off-the-cuff group exercise in early July. He was signed as the newest in a line of huge males who moved on to the NBA.
With Isaiah Mobley leaving early to affix his brother and 2020-21 Pac-12 participant of the 12 months Evan Mobley in the NBA, the Trojans have been relying on Iwuchukwu to assist fill the void.
Now, they’ll have to attend and see.
The Trojans reached the Elite Eight final 12 months, one of the best end result in the NCAA Tournament in over twenty years at a college identified primarily for its soccer program.
USC was 26-8 final season and completed third in the Pac-12 with a 14-6 mark.
The Trojans have been amongst others receiving votes in the AP Top 25 preseason rankings.
They open the season on Nov. 7 at dwelling in opposition to Florida Gulf Coast, the college Enfield left to affix USC 9 years in the past. They play their first 4 video games at Galen Center earlier than getting an early-season take a look at on the Battle 4 Atlantis in the Bahamas. Among their potential opponents on the Thanksgiving occasion are No. 5 Kansas, No. 11 Tennessee and No. 24 Dayton.
USC opens Pac-12 play at California on Nov. 30. Another noteworthy nonconference sport is Dec. 18 when No. 15 Auburn visits Los Angeles.
IWUCHUKWU’S STATUS
The 235-pounder advised CBS Sports he had suffered sudden cardiac arrest in July and was hospitalized briefly. A group spokesman mentioned there is no such thing as a timetable for Iwuchukwu, who attends each follow.
Iwuchukwu comes from Southern California Academy in close by Castaic. He is USC’s fourth five-star large man recruit in as a few years.
BACKCOURT BOOGIE
Boogie Ellis emerged as a group chief final season when he averaged 12.5 factors and three.3 rebounds after transferring from Memphis. He joins fellow returning starter Drew Peterson to type a powerful backcourt.
Peterson heads into his senior season poised to maneuver from a supporting function to star participant. He was second to Mobley in whole factors scored final season, led the Trojans in assists and had the second-most blocked pictures. He shot 50% from the sector and over 41% from 3-point vary. At 6-10, Peterson bolsters USC’s rebounding.
Reese Dixon-Waters got here on robust in mid-February, scoring in double figures 3 times, together with the NCAA Tournament. The 6-5 guard provides the Trojans perimeter measurement and he’ll contend for a spot in the beginning lineup. Freshman guard Oziyah Sellers is a three-star prospect.
YOUNG FRONTCOURT
The Trojans’ youth can be on show in a frontcourt crammed with extremely touted signees. While they wait on Iwuchukwu, four-star prospects Kijani Wright and Tre White have an opportunity to make quick affect. The 6-9 Wright starred at close by Sierra Canyon High as a senior, taking part in with Bronny James, son of Lakers star LeBron James. The 6-7 White comes from Prolific Prep in Napa, California, having averaged 18.2 factors, 5.8 rebounds and 4.3 assists as a senior.
Lending expertise is senior Joshua Morgan, a former Big West defensive participant of the 12 months at Long Beach State. The 6-11 ahead returns to provide the Trojans size on the inside.
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