USC Basketball: Trojans Boast Impressive Record With This Starting Lineup
The USC Trojans men's basketball team has seen many ups and downs so far this season. They entered the year with high expectations but stumbled for the majority of the season.
However, they have started to play much better of late, potentially keeping themselves alive in a longshot NCAA Tournament race. Realistically, the Trojans would need to take down Arizona this weekend, then run the table in the Pac-12 Tournament to make the big dance.
It's an unlikely scenario, but they have seemingly found the right formula for success, it just may be too late. The Trojans boast a record of 9-4 when Isaiah Collier, Kobe Johnson, Boogie Ellis, Joshua Morgan and DJ Rodman all start. This team has been hit with different injuries all year, but when healthy, they have shown their capability.
"For all the flaws, for all of USC’s dead stretches and drastic slumps, one fact has become apparent: this is a fairly decent basketball team when its starters actually, well, start. Freshman Isaiah Collier. Stalwarts Kobe Johnson, Boogie Ellis and Joshua Morgan. Transfer DJ Rodman. When Trojans coach Andy Enfield has sent those five out for tip-off – heck, when he’s been able to – USC is 9-4, a reality starkly different from the injury-riddled disappointment this season has brought."
The Trojans seem to be in good health now entering the crucial Pac-12 Tournament, but it will still be tough for them. However, if they can band together to do the unthinkable, maybe they can sneak into the big dance to create some noise.
“This is the team,” Enfield said earlier in practice this week, “we thought we’d have.”
It's been a frustrating season for the Trojans, but they aren't quitting just yet. As long as they are technically alive in the race, they will give it all they have.
