USC went 11-2 through its non-conference schedule, but the lack of marquee wins outside from LSU, a home loss to Temple and a blowout loss in Orlando, Fla., to Marquette, has left the Trojans far outside the national spotlight. So much so they didn't receive any votes in the latest polls.
So once again the conference season becomes imperative for Andy Enfield's crew, and the Trojans tip off Pac-12 play Thursday night at Washington State (7:30 p.m. PT on Pac-12 Network).
The Cougars are 9-4 with no notable wins to speak off, propping up their record against the likes of Idaho, Idaho State, UC Riverside, Florida A&M, Incarnate Word, Arkansas-Pine Bluff. (They also lost to Colorado State, Nebraska and Omaha, plus a solid Santa Clara team).
Washington State no longer has do-it-all star Robert Franks, and the scoring burden has been passed to sophomore forward CJ Elleby (20.1 points per game) with junior guard Isaac Bonton (13.0 PPG) and senior 6-foot-9 forward Jeff Pollard (10.2) also averaging in double figures.
USC, meanwhile, is expected to have star freshman Onyeka Okongwu (17.7 PPG, 9.0 rebounds per game) back in action after he missed a game with a sprained ankle.
Join the in-game discussion in this thread after tip-off (assuming I can find a way to watch the game from San Antonio!).
So once again the conference season becomes imperative for Andy Enfield's crew, and the Trojans tip off Pac-12 play Thursday night at Washington State (7:30 p.m. PT on Pac-12 Network).
The Cougars are 9-4 with no notable wins to speak off, propping up their record against the likes of Idaho, Idaho State, UC Riverside, Florida A&M, Incarnate Word, Arkansas-Pine Bluff. (They also lost to Colorado State, Nebraska and Omaha, plus a solid Santa Clara team).
Washington State no longer has do-it-all star Robert Franks, and the scoring burden has been passed to sophomore forward CJ Elleby (20.1 points per game) with junior guard Isaac Bonton (13.0 PPG) and senior 6-foot-9 forward Jeff Pollard (10.2) also averaging in double figures.
USC, meanwhile, is expected to have star freshman Onyeka Okongwu (17.7 PPG, 9.0 rebounds per game) back in action after he missed a game with a sprained ankle.
Join the in-game discussion in this thread after tip-off (assuming I can find a way to watch the game from San Antonio!).
