University Southern California Trojans
Older and Wiser
October 09, 2017 | Men's Basketball, USC Ripsit Blog, Features
After years of being considered one of the youngest and most inexperienced teams in the nation, the tables have finally turned for USC men's basketball.
ESPN Insider John Gasaway recently dubbed USC the most experienced team in the country, based on returning possession minutes from last year.
USC only has two seniors on its roster, but Gasaway calculated that team will return 98 percent of its possession minutes from 2016-17. Indeed, the only players USC lost at the end of last year were walk-on Samer Dhillon, who played a total of 9 minutes (1.3 minutes per game) and forward Charles Buggs, who played 212 minutes (8.8 per game).
USC's entire starting five — guards Jordan McLaughlin, Elijah Stewart and De'Anthony Melton, and forwards Bennie Boatwright and Chimezie Metu — chose to return for at least one more year at Troy.
The Trojans also return guard Shaqquan Aaron, who started 20 games last year, as well as guard Jonah Mathews and forward Nick Rakocevic, who made big contributions as freshmen.
This experienced USC team kicks off the season on Friday, Nov. 10 at the Galen Center against Cal State Fullerton. The 2017-18 schedule also features marquee matchups with Vanderbilt, Texas A&M, Oklahoma and a number of Pac-12 opponents. Click here for ticket information!
ESPN Insider John Gasaway recently dubbed USC the most experienced team in the country, based on returning possession minutes from last year.
USC only has two seniors on its roster, but Gasaway calculated that team will return 98 percent of its possession minutes from 2016-17. Indeed, the only players USC lost at the end of last year were walk-on Samer Dhillon, who played a total of 9 minutes (1.3 minutes per game) and forward Charles Buggs, who played 212 minutes (8.8 per game).
USC's entire starting five — guards Jordan McLaughlin, Elijah Stewart and De'Anthony Melton, and forwards Bennie Boatwright and Chimezie Metu — chose to return for at least one more year at Troy.
The Trojans also return guard Shaqquan Aaron, who started 20 games last year, as well as guard Jonah Mathews and forward Nick Rakocevic, who made big contributions as freshmen.
This experienced USC team kicks off the season on Friday, Nov. 10 at the Galen Center against Cal State Fullerton. The 2017-18 schedule also features marquee matchups with Vanderbilt, Texas A&M, Oklahoma and a number of Pac-12 opponents. Click here for ticket information!
Players Mentioned
Guard
/ Men's Basketball
Forward
/ Men's Basketball
Guard
/ Men's Basketball
Guard
/ Men's Basketball
Forward
/ Men's Basketball
Forward
/ Men's Basketball
Guard
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