The Trojans finish the season 12-20 after getting blown out in the Pac-12 Tournament quarterfinals.
Click here for the recap and box score.
Due Credit
In the first two match-ups with UCLA this season, the Trojans were burned by Bryce Alford, Norman Powell, Tony Parker and Kevon Looney, so Isaac Hamilton was not at the top of the scouting report, but he became the story of the game, scoring 36 points on 13/17 shooting. "I think he did get lost in the shuffle a bit," assistant coach Jason Hart said about the game plan on Hamilton. The coaching staff tried to make a mid-game adjustment, but it was too late. "He just got into a rhythm. Once he gets going, he's that type of scorer where he just keeps on doing it. Hats off to him."
Breed Competition
USC's back court has provided real optimism for the future with Elijah Stewart and Julian Jacobs coming on strong in the season's final month, and Jordan McLaughlin making the Pac-12's All-Freshman Team. Today, Katin Reinhardt led the Trojans with 20 points on 5/9 threes. Next year, the front line will get a talent injection with highly touted big men Bennie Boatwright and Chimezie Metu ready to put some playing time pressure on the returning players. "Competition makes you have a sense of urgency," said Hart about the future of this roster. "With no competition, your urgency is slow, so that's the only way that you get better." The two new bigs also have unique skill-sets, which fill needs. Boatwright is a "high-major shooter" and Metu is a "freak athlete, only 17-years-old," per Hart.
To Be Continued
While the coaching staff was frustrated that the team did not win more games this season, the future is bright as can be with the entire roster eligible to return. First things first, the Trojans, who were bullied by the three biggest teams in the conference (UCLA, Arizona and Utah), need to get bigger and think bigger. "Physicality is a mindset," said Hart. "Every one of us has to come back and get our bodies correct. Once you change your body, your mind changes along with it because you feel you are a little bit tougher." Once the Trojans are physically prepared, they can capitalize on all the hard lessons of this season, making this frustrating rebuild worth it in the end. "We can't take the elevator. We have to take the steps," Hart said about the long term plan for this program. "Unfortunately, we got our butts kicked tonight, but this should trigger an offseason program that they've never seen before."
Here are the highlights from the final game of the season:
University Southern California Trojans
Wednesday, July 29
Tuesday, July 28
Tuesday, July 28
Wednesday, July 22
