USC MEN’S BASKETBALL AT ALABAMA STATE
When: Tuesday, 4:00 p.m.
Where: Dunn-Oliver Acadome, Montgomery, Ala.
TV/radio: ESPN+/790 AM
Records: USC 5-5, Alabama State 4-5
Previous matchup: USC last faced Alabama State on Dec. 10, 2022, almost exactly a year before they’ll meet again this December. The Trojans handled that matchup with ease, beating the Hornets 96-58 as Drew Peterson – now on a two-way contract with the Boston Celtics – led USC with 21 points. That’s a name sorely missed on this USC team, as Peterson’s secondary scoring and height to create mismatches has left a void that hasn’t quite been filled by Washington State transfer DJ Rodman.
USC latest result: Not good! USC continued to skid in a 91-75 loss to Auburn in which their zone defense was carved to shreds, they routinely got beat at the point of attack on the perimeter and struggled to generate offense from anyone not named Boogie Ellis. The Trojans have generated just three more assists than turnovers all season, simply not a recipe for offensive success, and turned in a particularly ugly performance in ball control with 15 turnovers against just nine assists against Auburn.
It was expected that USC would run alongside the backcourt of Ellis and freshman point guard Isaiah Collier, but Collier has struggled with foul trouble and turnovers outside of strong scoring efficiency, and Ellis has been sublime but unable to lift an offense by himself.
Alabama State latest result: The Hornets lost to LSU last Wednesday 74-56, their offense similarly struggling with flow – 10 assists against 13 turnovers – and shooting just 36.1% from the field. This is an eminently winnable game for USC, and a loss would cap off a truly disheartening non-conference schedule.
Matchup to watch: Collier vs. Alabama State’s CJ Hines. Two lead guards, in many ways, the direct inverse of one another. Hines is a former NAIA transfer who spots up from three and takes care of the ball. Collier is a projected top NBA draft pick with a spotty jumper who attacks with reckless abandon. It’s a chance for Collier to continue taking steps forward in court vision and decision-making, matched up with a veteran.
USC trend to watch: Stop if you’ve heard this before: Andy Enfield continues to search for someone – anyone – who can provide consistent minutes in the paint. After senior Joshua Morgan was entrenched in the starting lineup to begin the year, Enfield has turned to energetic sophomore Vincent Iwuchukwu, who has shown flashes but has been inconsistent in getting his legs after an injury-riddled freshman year. Both Morgan and Iwuchukwu were ineffective against Auburn. Freshman Arrinten Page hasn’t made much of an impact, and prototypical stretch-four Harrison Hornery hasn’t provided much stretch. Sophomore forward Kijani Wright was the best of the bunch against Auburn, with six points and six rebounds in 17 minutes; it’ll be a point to watch who Enfield trusts most moving forward.