Where are we?- with a 24-10 W-L, a 31 RPI and a 47 SOS you would think this is a superfluous question, but not to those who think we aren't there. The reason ……..crickets. For whatever personal ideas the PAC 12 is not their choice. The one team that scored heavily with them is ASU and they have gone fishing for the season. Among teams with better RPI, there are only 23 teams with better than USC's 23-10 record. Only 19 have faced better SOS teams. My forecast (I'm as dumb as anyone choosing) is USC is a #9 seed.
The UO game…USC went through the Oregon's 3 straight times this year after a decade (it seems) of losing misery. The Ducks were given the 6th seed because above them were 3 teams tied for 3rd. Their overall 22-11 was right behind the USC 22-10 coming in. But they played the prior 2 days and after a close start (17-17 after 9 minutes of the first half) the Ducks began to waddle through and coping with the USC defense with tired feet. USC outscored them 57-37 the remainder of the game. It shouldn't have been that close but USC had a 20 turnover night though there were also 14 duck turnovers and the score off TOs was 23 points apiece. Largest leads were Oregon by 1 and USC by 28.
USC starters all played 32- 38 minutes. Only 8 minutes and 6 points combined from the bench. With the expected push to stop Metu and McLaughlin (they combined for 19 points, 11 assists and 12 rebounds) it meant others need to pick it up. The combined effort of the other 3 starters Racocevic, Stewart and Mathews was 49 points, 10-15 3-pointers, and 19 rebounds. The team overall in the last 2 games played great D and held OSU scoring 73ppg coming in to 48 points, and Oregon 77ppg coming in to 54.
Next….Set the clocks for 7:00PM on FS1 for the championship game, one in which USC had not played since 2009 (they won). Arizona has 4 guys that can score at any time. Ayers is a strong Dwight Howard that can also shoot. USC needs the same trio above to shine in shooting over the Arizona defense. UCLA had them tied at the end of regulation with quickness and 3 point shooting. Arizona is vulnerable on D. Also the two USC bigs Racocevic and Metu have to let sure baskets go at time to stay away from fouls and in the game. Tame the wildcats.
The UO game…USC went through the Oregon's 3 straight times this year after a decade (it seems) of losing misery. The Ducks were given the 6th seed because above them were 3 teams tied for 3rd. Their overall 22-11 was right behind the USC 22-10 coming in. But they played the prior 2 days and after a close start (17-17 after 9 minutes of the first half) the Ducks began to waddle through and coping with the USC defense with tired feet. USC outscored them 57-37 the remainder of the game. It shouldn't have been that close but USC had a 20 turnover night though there were also 14 duck turnovers and the score off TOs was 23 points apiece. Largest leads were Oregon by 1 and USC by 28.
USC starters all played 32- 38 minutes. Only 8 minutes and 6 points combined from the bench. With the expected push to stop Metu and McLaughlin (they combined for 19 points, 11 assists and 12 rebounds) it meant others need to pick it up. The combined effort of the other 3 starters Racocevic, Stewart and Mathews was 49 points, 10-15 3-pointers, and 19 rebounds. The team overall in the last 2 games played great D and held OSU scoring 73ppg coming in to 48 points, and Oregon 77ppg coming in to 54.
Next….Set the clocks for 7:00PM on FS1 for the championship game, one in which USC had not played since 2009 (they won). Arizona has 4 guys that can score at any time. Ayers is a strong Dwight Howard that can also shoot. USC needs the same trio above to shine in shooting over the Arizona defense. UCLA had them tied at the end of regulation with quickness and 3 point shooting. Arizona is vulnerable on D. Also the two USC bigs Racocevic and Metu have to let sure baskets go at time to stay away from fouls and in the game. Tame the wildcats.