My notes on the SC vs. EKU game
The Trojans 8-0 met the Eastern Kentucky Colonels (insert KFC jokes - haha) from the ASUN, 5-4 record (w/ 3 straight losses) and defeated them 80-68.Prior to the game, the Founders Club guest speaker was Eric Mobley, his first appearance in this role and he was friendly and comfortable. The first question was on Evan, and in an understatement, he said Evan was doing well and that Mrs. Mobley was in Cleveland taking care of him. Evan already misses the SoCal weather, because Cleveland is C-O-L-D! He said that it was a shame that SC fans did not get to see Evan play in person last season, and that he would bring Evan to the Founders Club, the next time the Cavs were in town.
Regarding the opponent, Eric stated that EKU lives and dies by the 3, and hoisted up 51 3-pt attempts in their last game, making 18. In watching them warm up, he joked there were no layup lines, they were just practicing 3s.
The attendance was only 2608, the students had finals, but the crowd had plenty to cheer about. What a difference it makes to have the Trojan Basketball band back this game! The Song Girls and Dance Force and the Spirit Squad added to the atmosphere, along with DJ Malski (check out his website to learn more about the official DJ of the USC Trojans, LA Rams, LA Sparks and CSUN, who appears on 102.3 KJLH FM radio (Mon thru Sat, 8pm -Midnight).
SC rolled out a starting lineup of their usual 4 (Mobley, Peterson, Boogie, Chevez) plus Max, w/ Ethan coming off the bench and Isaiah White not available due to concentrating on his academics, which he needs to take care of to walk out of SC with his master's degree.
The first thing I noted at tip-off, was our usual height advantage was even more pronounced, the Colonels tallest starter was 6 ft 9, and their guards were 5 ft 10 and 6 ft 1, while SC started 4 players 6-9 or taller, plus 6-ft-3 Boogie Ellis.
The game was close early on, EKU held a 6-5 lead after 4 minutes, then SC went on a 12-0 run and ended the half up 41-26. In the first half SC shot 52% FGs, while holding EKU to 26%. SC was beating EKU at its own game, shooting 5-12 (42%) on 3's to EKU's 3-17 (18%). SC's length was bothering the EKU shooters. In the second half SC shot 55% FG, 31% 3FG (4-13) and after being 4-5 from the FT line in the first half, reverted to form in the second half (3-8). Free throws continue to be an issue for SC as they rank No. 354 in the nation with a 56.8% average. Only 4 teams are worse! EKU shot 38% FG, 32% 3FG (7-22) and were perfect from the line 8-8, finishing the game at 100% 12-12. EKU ranks No. 86 at 72%.
The stats for the game showed SC ended with 54% FG, 36% (9-25) 3FG, holding EKU to 32% FG. EKU shot 7-22 3-ptrs in second half, finishing the game with 10 makes in 39 attempts (26%). SC again dominated in the paint scoring 44 pts, to 18 for EKU. SC outrebounded EKU 46-32, but a season high 18 turnovers (11 from steals) resulted in 21 points. EKU committed just 7 TOs, leading to just 2 SC points.
The star of the game was Isaiah Mobley with a career high 23 points on 8-10 FGs, including a career best 5 made 3s (only 1 miss). He added a career high tieing 13 rebs and 5 assists with 0 PFs. An outstanding game for Mobley, the kind that scouts would be looking for! It's a shame that no NBA scouts were there to witness it (the 2 rows of seats reserved for them were vacant.
The bigs in general had a monster game, shooting a combined 18-20, with Goodwin 6-6 FG, with 7 rebs and 2 assists (but 2-6 FTs) and Josh Morgan 4-4 (all dunks, part of the season high 9 dunks on the night!), w/ 5 rebs, 1 assist and 1 blk.
Drew Peterson had his best game of the season in my opinion. He had 15 pts (6-11 FG, 2-5 3FG, 1-1 FT) and his total game was on display, taking 3's with no hesitation and making 2 for the first time this season, having 2 emphatic alley oop dunks and showing-off his mid-range game that Drew aimed for in the offseason when he said: “I have been trying to have more of a DeRozan-type game, play a little more in the midrange.” Drew added 6 rebs, 2 assists and a steal.
Max is playing like he belongs now. He is not forcing things and letting the game come to him. He played 30 minutes and scored 12 pts (5-11 FG, 1-5 3FG, 1-3 FT). His shooting consistency can improve, but a lot of shots were in and out. He contributed with 4 rebs, a steal and 5 assists to only 1 TO.
Speaking of shots being in and out, that was story of the night for Boogie Ellis, who could not buy a bucket, going 0-10 FG, 0-7 3FG. He was strong in other phases, 5 rebs, 5 assists and 2 steals. What we are learning from this team is that IT IS A TEAM, with no real star, but many who can step up to help the team win at different times. This team is totally unselfish and shares the ball freely in search of a better shot.
Ethan did not have a good game. He scored 2 pts in 22 minutes and had 4 fouls and 3 TOs. He needs to be more consistent and more productive.
Dixon-Waters played 12 minutes and scored 6 pts, hitting 2 of his 3 shots (1 from beyond the arc) and hitting his lone FT. He plays defense well on the ball and always attempts to disrupt the passing lanes with his quick hands. He is growing to be a key component off the bench for this team.
After SC was comfortably ahead with less than 4 minutes left in the game, Andy brought inthe subs, but wasn't happy with their effort or effectiveness, as they allowed the Colonels to go on an 11-0 run and Andy put the starters back in, but that lapse by the frosh cost SC to fall under the 17.5 point spread, which in reality led to a drop in the KenPom rankings from #10 to #13. I doubt Enfield was aware or even cared about this fact, he just wanted to make sure they won the game, which they did 80-68, to move to 9-0 on the season. This is the Trojans' best start since 2016-17, when they started 14-0, before losing to Oregon in Eugene in just the second conference game of the season.
SC continues its run of holding opponents under 40% FGs and have been good to great defensively, which is becoming an Enfield trademark. If the shots aren't falling, they try to tighten up their D and create easy scoring opportunities. With their size they have dominated opponents in the paint and it will be interesting to see if this is the case when the conference games resume.
Next up for the Trojans is LBSU on Sunday at 2pm. The 49ers are 3-6 this season and lost to the bruins 100-79. They are led by Jr guard Joel Murray, who averages 16.3 ppg on 50% FGs and also leads with 3 assists and 1.2 steals per game. Two other players average double digits - Sr guard Colin Slater (12.6 ppg, 44% 3FGs) and Sr. forward Joe Hampton (11.9 ppg, 50% FGs, and 60% 3FGs). Should be a game where Andy can subsitute liberally and not end up putting the starters back in at the end. See you at Galen - Fight On!
