Marcus Simmons
Though I was a little more optimistic than most of the college basketball media who predicted the Trojans to finish 9th in the Pac-10, I didn’t expect much from a program reeling from an NCAA investigation, the loss of a coach who took them to 3 straight NCAA tourneys (Tim Floyd), the loss of 3 pivotal players to the pro ranks (all underclassman- Derozan, Gibson, Hackett) and the loss of a top 15 ranked recruiting class. Combine that with season ticket sales off over 55% and it is easy to assume the demise of USC basketball was in full effect.
However, ESPN analyst Doug Gottlieb was correct when he said “tales of the demise of USC basketball are greatly exaggerated.” during USC’s victory over than #20th ranked UNLV in the finals of the Diamondhead Classic.
5 reasons why Trojan fans should plan regular trips to the Galen Center during the Pac-10 season:
1- The “Last chance” Team: Unlike the USC football team, the basketball team is full of players and coaches who have one of the key ingredients to overachieving: something to prove with no expectations.
The Trojans are led by first year journeyman coach Kevin O’Neal who desperately wants to re-ignite his career and a coaching staff held over from the Floyd era that is looking to impress other programs before O’Neal brings in his own guys.
The team boasts three transfers in Alex Stephenson from North Carolina, Marcus Johnson from Connecticut and Mike Gerrity from Pepperdine/UNC-Charlotte that are at the end of disappointing careers with one last chance to right the ship. Marcus Simmons and Nikola Vucevic still have sour tastes in their mouths for being underutilized on last year’s team.
When you combine players and coaches in a situation where no excuses are left, a strong will to win can develop. Everybody worked very hard in the off-season and now with the team at full strength, they play tenacious defense and are not only competing with top 25 teams, they are beating them.
2- Best Frontline in the Pac-10: It is scary to think how good this team would be if the program didn’t fall under NCAA scrutiny last year with Tim Floyd. Despite all of the losses, the Trojans possess a dominant frontline.
-more on the frontline, Gerrity, etc after the jump
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The USC men’s basketball team (1-0) defeated UC Riverside (0-2) 77-67 at the Galen Center last night. Senior Dwight Lewis led the way with 22 points. Nikola Vucevic and Marcus Simmons each had 18 points. The Trojans only played seven players last night because of injury and eligibility issues.
The Trojans next game is on Saturday November 21st at 5:00 p.m., against Loyola Marymount at the Galen Center.
UC Riverside 67, USC 77 [espn]
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Here's the quotes from USC basketball coach Kevin O'Neill. USC men's basketball coach Kevin O'Neill On practice starting on Friday...: It will be my first time on the court with them as a team, per se. I've been on the court with them doing a lot of individual work. They've worked hard in the weight room. They are in...
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A look at something a bit different in the midst of all the preseason and training camp hoopla from Football Regardless of how anyone feels about Tim Floyd, his 4 year tenure at USC was one of the most sucessful in the history of SC hoops. The three conecutive NCAA tournament sppearances had never been accomplished, and Floyd achieved...
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<!--start image--><!-- end image-->With the hiring of Kevin O'Neil, the USC basketball program is now heading in a different direction. Emily Nerland and Michelle Phalen caught up with O'Neil as well as Leonard Washington and Marcus Simmons to get their thoughts on how to get Trojan hoops back on trac...
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OK, here's another lineup projection now that Marcus Johnson is gone. We'll leave Derrick Williams and Lamont Jones in even though Tim Floyd said this week USC might lose both. Forward: Leonard Washington Forward: Nicola Vucevic Center: Alex Stepheson Guard: Dwight Lewis Guard: Lamont Jones Reserves Guards: Marcus Simmons, Mike Gerrity, Romeo Miller, Donte Smith (if he returns), James...
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His defense in the Pac-10 tournament was one of the reasons the Trojans earned the NCAA tournament berth. USC's Marcus Simmons was alive and well, and upright, Monday afternoon....
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Before I begin today's Running Game Diary, I can’t help but feel like something’s missing. And if you’re a USC fan who’s been following the news lately, you’re probably feeling the same way.
Alex Stepheson, the 6’9” forward transfer from UNC was denied a transfer waiver by the NCAA on Wednesday, preventing him from playing with the Trojans this season.
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With Nikola Vucevic and Leonard Washington coming to USC, that means the Trojans have reached the NCAA basketball scholarship limit for next season. Any additional signings would require a transfer or a player renouncing his scholarship. Here's a class-by-class breakdown of the 13 scholarships and current walk-ons for 2008-09.SENIORS 1. RouSean Cromwell 2. Keith Wilkinson Terence Green (walk-on) JUNIORS...
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From Rivals.com:2. USC Star of the class: O.J. Mayo. After a much bally-hooed high school career that was played under the national microscope, the former five-star prospect moved from a small pond in Huntington, West Virginia to the bright lights of Los Angeles. He helped the Trojans return to the NCAA tournament and raised the program's reputation on a...
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USC has been leading Oregon State by 30 points since the tipoff, it seems but there is one bit of actual important news here. For the first time since Dec. 17, 6-foot-6 freshman guard Marcus Simmons got into a game. In fact, he got eight first-half minutes and now is enjoying a similar stint the second half, giving USC...
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Lot of people are making a big deal out of the exhibition loss against Fresno Pacific, so I thought I'd give my thoughts on the topic:1. Why didn't Coach Floyd play his starters? Well it's obvious he didn't start the starters because he wanted to give them much needed rest. O.J. has been suffering from turf toe and has...
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