It won’t be an experienced team, but Coach
Tim Floyd is bringing more talent into Los Angeles. There is
nowhere to go but up for the Trojans after finishing last in the
conference a year ago. They might not go up this season, but the
incoming class will make some noise before their careers at USC
are over.
Who’s Out:
It’s a big group of players leaving, mostly from the frontcourt.
Center Rory O’Neil started 23 games, averaging 9.0 points and
4.6 boards. Jeff McMillan averaged 9.6 points and 6.9 rebounds.
Nick Curtis started 14 contests, putting up 4.5 points and 3.2
boards per outing. Gregg Guenther saw action in all 29 games,
averaging 6.7 points and 5.3 boards. Emanuel Willis only played
in four games before transferring to Auburn. That’s tons of
talent moving on from the frontcourt. The backcourt loses the
Craven twins, Derrick and Errick. They combined to averaged 10.4
points per contest. Also leaving are seldom used walk-ons Edward
Chang and Andrew Moore.
Who’s In:
The long list of newcomers will get plenty of opportunity to see
major minutes, especially in the frontcourt. Jeremy Barr and
RouSean Cromwell are likely to earn a starting job very quickly.
Barr, a 6-8 forward, has a knack for scoring once he gets the
ball under the basket. Cromwell, a 6-10 215 pound forward,
averaged 17 points and 11 rebounds at the IMG Academy in Florida
last year. Abdoulaye Ndiaye, a 6-11 transfer from Southern Idaho
and Keith Wilkinson, who needs some time to bulk up, should see
some minutes off the bench. The backcourt doesn’t need any
starters, but will get a sufficient amount of help off the
bench. Shaun Davis, a junior college transfer who played at
Pepperdine, probably has the best chance at seeing major minutes
this year. Shooting guard Sead Odzic has a killer shot and
should develop into a solid player for USC. Ryan Francis, Collin
Robinson and redshrirt freshman Daniel Garrett will have a tough
time finding minutes in the crowded backcourt.
Who to Watch:
The trio of returning backcourt starters are
young, but already have proven they have talent. Gabriel Pruitt
averaged 12.3 points and 3.2 assists last year. Fellow freshman
Nick Young put up 11.1 points and 4.1 rebounds per game. The
veteran of the group is Lodrick Stewart. The 6-4 guard averaged
12.1 points per contest as a sophomore in 2004-2005.
Projected Conference Rank:
USC could shoot for a spot in the Pac 10
tourney, if all ten teams weren’t invited now. The Trojans will
be better, but so will most everybody else in the bottom of the
conference. Finishing in 7th place is frustrating,
but if the team plays well it will be a big step in the right
direction for the future of the program.
Projected Post-season Tournament:
NIT
Projected Starting Five:
Gabriel Pruitt, Sophomore, Guard, 12.3 points per game
Lodrick Stewart, Junior, Guard, 12.1points per game
Nick Young, Senior, Guard, 11.1 points per game
Jeremy Barr, Freshman, Forward, DNP last season
RouSean Cromwell, Freshman, Forward, DNP last season
