USC Trojans (9-8, KenPom No. 48) vs. Washington Huskies (11-6, KenPom No. 13)
Clarence S. “Hec” Edmundson Pavilion, Seattle, Washington
Saturday, 7:30 p.m. PST
TV: FSN
Radio: 950 KJR
Scouting the Trojans:
- Montenegrin Nikola Vucevic is the only Pac-10 player averaging a double-double with 17.3 points and 10.3 rebounds per game. His 6’10 frame and improved outside touch make him a prime pick-and-fade threat but he does most of his work with a polished midrange righty hook. Voted last year’s Pac-10 Most Improved Player as a sophomore, Vucevic is also the defending conference Player of the Week after dropping 45 efficient points and 22 rebounds in home wins against the Arizona schools. The team leader in touches also has the fewest turnovers, helping USC to the second-lowest turnover percentage in the conference (behind UW).
- Fordham transfer Jio Fontan is a pass-first point guard and a dangerous shooter. Since becoming eligible after semester’s end on December 15, the six-foot junior has averaged 10 points and 4 assists per game, though he has made only 61% of his free throws. His activity in USC’s man defense is crucial to the Trojans’ efforts in cutting off passing lanes and forcing teams to slow their offense and score off the dribble. USC is among the nation’s most effective in slowing its opponent’s tempo; its slow pace allows its six main contributors to play long minutes without fatiguing as quickly.
- Senior forward Alex Stepheson is a major contributor to the Trojans’ dominance on the glass, averaging 8.8 boards to go with his 10 points per game. Stepheson keyed the Trojans’ efficient December drubbing of Texas, making seven of nine from the field and collecting 11 rebounds. He spent two years at North Carolina before transferring to USC in 2008.
- Diminutive freshman Maurice Jones has been a horse for USC, playing at least 38 minutes 13 times this year. The 5’7 155 guard flew out of the gate, hanging 29 points and five assists on Santa Clara in his second collegiate game, but his field goal percentage has dropped steadily, possibly as his 35.3 minutes per game have taken their physical toll. Jones and Fontan are generally on the court together, giving the Trojans multiple ballhandling options. Jones is fearless and may well lead the conference in heart. His 2.2 steals per game is good for third in the Pac-10.
- Senior guard Donte Smith scores in spurts when his jumper is falling. He has converted at least three three-pointers in 11 of the Trojans’ 30 games, including an eight-for-12 outburst against California. Like UCLA, the Trojans are diffuse in the scoring department—all five of the aforementioned players are averaging at least 9.9 points per game.
- First off the bench, senior guard Marcus Simmons is a 6’6 version of Venoy Overton. The comparison between the two energetic defensive aces is actually quite striking, except for that Simmons trades two ast/g for the ability to defend multiple positions. It's also safe to say Simmons is a bit more easygoing than Overton.
- Freshman forward Garrett Jackson rounds out the rotation, contributing 11.7 minutes of hustle and hard work per game.
- Bench contribution is at a premium for USC, which is down to a seven-man rotation following the midseason departure of freshman guard Bryce Jones. Jones, who allegedly broke Jackson’s nose during a locker room scuffle and had some issues with his resident advisor, was given an ultimatum from coach Kevin O’Neill to transfer or be dismissed. Jones announced his intention to transfer on January 18.
What happened last time:
- Terrence Ross’ career high 18 points sparked the Dawgs to overcome a 12-point deficit and force overtime at the Galen Center. Overton and Justin Holiday combined to outscore the Trojans 14-12 in the extra period and the Huskies won 73-67.
- Five Huskies were called for at least four fouls. The Huskies’ foul trouble was so severe in the first half that Brendan Sherrer was sent to the scorer’s table with nearly two minutes remaining until halftime. Had play stopped, Sherrer would have logged his first career first-half minutes.
- Vucevic went absolutely ham and cheese, making all 14 of his free throws en route to 28 points and 14 rebounds. He was held without a shot in overtime.
- Suffocating perimeter defense (USC shot just 34.5% from the floor) helped the Huskies overcome six Isaiah Thomas turnovers. Thomas had just 10 points on 3/7 shooting.
- The Galen Center was unusually purple in the last meeting, as hundreds of Husky fans had made the trip to southern California to see the Holiday Bowl the following night. The sea of purple and gold, reveling in the Huskies’ gridiron upset of the Trojans in October, chanted “Just Like Football” as UW pulled away in overtime.
What’s different this time
- Abdul Gaddy played 19 forgettable minutes for the Dawgs. He tore his ACL in practice a week later and was lost for the season.
- CJ Wilcox, hero of Thursday’s win over UCLA, missed the first USC game with a staph infection in his right hip. He has recovered and will start Saturday.
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