Season review: USC basketball sputters after historic highs
What were USC’s season highlights and lowlights? Who’s leaving, who might be gone, and who is coming to the Trojans?
Adam Grosbard (OC Register) — GREENVILLE, S.C. — The USC men’s basketball season came to an abrupt end Friday as the Trojans lost their first-round NCAA Tournament matchup 68-66 to Miami.
It’s a loss that will surely stick with the Trojans all offseason, from the tantalizingly close buzzer-beater from Drew Peterson that fell to the wrong side of the rim, to the multitude of self-inflicted errors that made that shot necessary like 18 turnovers and six missed free throws.
But really, that was the only way this USC season would end, right? For much of the year, USC used late heroics to overcome its own mistakes that put the Trojans in that situation to begin with. In March, that dangerous pattern finally caught up with USC.
Before we head to the offseason, here’s a look back on this USC, with a look ahead to what will come next for Andy Enfield’s program.
A 13-0 start to the season elevated USC to No. 5 in the AP poll, the Trojans’ highest ranking since 1974. And with 26 wins, USC tied the all-time program record.
But the real highlights for USC came in the dramatic moments. Peterson’s career night to lift the Trojans to a win over UCLA – without leading scorer Isaiah Mobley – was the best team performance by USC all year.
Peterson added to his new USC folk-hero status with his game-winning 3-pointer against Oregon. Guard Boogie Ellis also had a game-winner against Washington State as USC built its cardiac kids reputation.
Lowlights
Frankly, USC was never the same after a three-week COVID-19 pause in the middle of the season. The offense wasn’t as sharp, with turnovers mounting. The defense struggled to keep up with smaller guards. Even as USC continued to pull out some wins, there was a sense the Trojans were getting away with their mistakes rather than playing winning basketball.
That culminated with a March in which USC lost four of five games. In those contests, the Trojans averaged 15.4 turnovers, playing their worst basketball of the year at the worst time.
Who’s gone
Forward Chevez Goodwin and guard Isaiah White have used up their eligibility and will move on to the next phase of their careers.
Goodwin’s energy in the post will be missed; he started every game for USC this season after operating mostly as a reserve last year. His scoring, particularly early in the season, helped USC get off to a strong start.
Injuries marred White’s final year in college, but USC fans will always have the memories of his sublime shooting in the 2021 Elite Eight run.
Who’s on the fence
When Mobley saw Peterson’s potential game-winner just miss the mark Friday, his face scrunched up in pure agony. Surely going through his mind is the same question that USC fans will ask: Is that how Mobley’s college career will end? Mobley tested the NBA draft waters last summer only to return and lead the Trojans in scoring. Now there looms the possibility he will follow his brother Evan into the professional ranks.
Peterson’s future is also murky. The senior guard has one year of eligibility left, and did not participate in Senior Day festivities last month. When asked earlier this week about returning next season, Peterson said that decision will come after the tournament. Now he will have to decide whether his professional stock is as high as it will get.
Who’s on the way
Only the No. 6 recruiting class in the country, per 247Sports.com. Five-star 7-footer Vince Iwuchukwu and Sierra Canyon McDonald’s All-American Kijani Wright are the headliners. They are joined by four-star small forward Tre White and three-star shooting guard Oziyah Sellers.
ocregister.com
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