Southern California Trojans: 24-9, 10-8 in the Pac-12 Conference
Head coach: Andy Enfield (4th season)
Players to watch: Bennie Boatwright (14.6 PPG); Chimezie Metu (14.5 PPG, 7.8 RPG, 1.5 BPG); Jordan McLaughlin (13.1 PPG, 5.5 APG)
Season recap: During Enfield's tenure, the Trojans have continued to rise from finishing last in the conference two years ago—earning a second consecutive tournament bid. Southern California's balanced offense that features six players averaging at least seven points per game and four double-figure scorers led it to an undefeated mark in nonconference play highlighted by a win against Southern Methodist and a fifth-place
But the Trojans' merely passable defense prevented USC from taking it to the next level in the deep Pac-12, leading to just one win against a ranked team as the Trojans gave up 83.0 points per game in those contests. USC did knock off Lonzo Ball and then-No. 8 UCLA at home Jan. 25, but lost all but one of its other games against top-25 teams by double digits. The Trojans enter the tournament having dropping five of their last eight games.
How they make a run: USC’s defense tightens up as its offense limits mistakes—strong performances from forwards Bennie Boatwright and Chimezie
How they falter: The team's defense once again comes back to bite it against top competition, leading to another early exit.
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Managing Editor 2018-19, 2019-2020 Features & Investigations Editor
A member of the class of 2020 hailing from San Mateo, Calif., Ben is The Chronicle's Towerview Editor and Investigations Editor. Outside of the Chronicle, he is a public policy major working towards a journalism certificate, has interned at the Tampa Bay Times and NBC News and frequents Pitchforks.