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Photo by: John McGillen
USC Women Open Up The New Year Against No. 9 Oregon & No. 16 OSU At Galen Center
January 02, 2018 | Women's Basketball, Features
Women of Troy host two ranked Pac-12 opponents this week, facing Oregon on Friday night and OSU on Sunday afternoon.
USC (10-3, 0-2) vs. #9 Oregon (13-2, 2-0)
Galen Center | Los Angeles, Calif.
Friday, Jan. 5 | 8 p.m. PT
Series Record: USC leads 45-21
Last Meeting: L, 73-50 (Feb. 12, 2017 • Eugene, Ore.)
Current Streak: Oregon won 3
TV: Pac-12 National /Pac-12 Los Angeles / Pac-12 Oregon (PbB: Kate Scott; Analyst: Tammy Blackburn)
STREAM | STATSÂ | TICKETS
USC (10-3, 0-2) vs. #16 Oregon St. (11-2, 2-0)
Galen Center | Los Angeles, Calif.
Sunday, Jan. / | 1 p.m. PT
Series Record: USC leads 42-26
Last Meeting: W, 70-50 (Feb. 10, 2017 • Corvallis, Ore.)
Current Streak: USC won 1
TV: Pac-12Nat/LA/OR (PbB: Kate Scott; Analyst: Tammy Blackburn)
STREAM | STATSÂ | TICKETS
Promo: First 250 fans receive a USC clear tote bag; Postgame autograph session.
THIS WEEKÂ
The USC women are back at Galen Center to ring in the new year with a pair of Pac-12 contests against ranked opponents. The Trojans (10-3, 0-2 Pac-12) go up against No. 9 Oregon (13-2, 2-0) first, squaring off against the Ducks at 8 p.m. on Friday (Jan. 5). On Sunday (Jan. 7), USC will host No. 16 Oregon State (11-2, 2-0) in a 1 p.m. clash. The first 250 fans at Sunday's game will receive a free USC clear tote bag! Both games will be televised on Pac-12 Network, Pac-12 Los Angeles and Pac-12 Oregon with Tammy Blackburn and Kate Scott on the calls.Â
CLEAR BAGS, PLEASE!  Â
At Galen Center, the safety of our guests is of paramount importance.  With that in mind, beginning January 1, 2018, Galen Center has implemented enhanced security measures including a clear bag policy. To review the policy and to insure you come to your next event at Galen Center fully prepared please go to: www.galencenter.org/assets/img/Clear-Bag-Policy-0b9d0e3076.jpg. Thank you and Fight On!Â
IN THE NATION
USC is unranked in this week's AP and USA Today Coaches polls (as of Jan. 2). Oregon ranks No. 9 in both polls, and Oregon State is ranked No. 16 in both polls.Â
SCOUTING OREGON
The No. 9 Ducks are 13-2 overall and 2-0 in Pac-12 play after beating WSU 89-56 and Washington 94-83 last week enters the week 6-6 after an 83-71 loss to Tennessee last week. Sabrina Ionescu leads Oregon in scoring with 18.9 points per game, and Ruthy Hebard leads on the boards with 8.8 rebounds per game. USC is 45-21 all-time against Oregon after taking losses in the last three meetings. Last season, the Trojans lost to the Ducks 59-53 at Galen Center and 73-50 in Eugene. USC's last win over Oregon was a 74-67 win at Galen Center in the 2015-16 season.
SCOUTING OSUÂ Â Â Â
The No. 16 Beavers enter the week 11-2 overall and 2-0 in Pac-12 play after beating Washington 75-63 and WSU 71-53 last week. Marie Gulich leads OSU with 16.5 points and 9.1 rebounds per game. USC is 42-26 all-time against OSU after a split last season, where USC snapped a seven-game losing skid against the Beavers with a 70-50 upset on Feb. 10, 2017 in Corvallis.
LAST WEEKÂ Â Â
USC went toe-to-toe with two of the Pac-12 top contenders last week, taking a 76-64 loss to No. 20 Cal before getting edged out 72-64 at Stanford. In USC's Pac-12 opener in Berkeley, the Golden Bears' depth won the day. Five Trojans scored, with Kristen Simon serving up her 22nd career double-double with 11 rebounds and a game-high 20 points. Cal, however, had eight Bears score as the hosts fended off their visitors. Cal led by as much as 17 points during the third, only to see the Trojans carve that down to a four-point margin early in the fourth. In the end, it was a strong overall shooting effort by Cal that kept USC at bay. Cal shot 45.6 percent from the floor, went 17-of-20 from the line and nailed seven 3-pointers to counter the Trojans' efforts to close the gap. USC shot 38.1 percent and was 13-of-17 from the line while hitting a season-low three 3-pointers. Both teams had four players finish in double digits, with USC's Simon leading the pack with her 20 points along with 11 boards. Minyon Moore delivered five assists to go with her 14, while Aliyah Mazyck added 13 for the Trojan cause, hitting a pair of threes along the way. USC's Sadie Edwards had 10 points — all in the second half — to stand as USC's fourth double-digit scorer. In a New Year's Eve bash in Palo Alto, USC had the halftime advantage, but host Stanford had the depth and hot-shooting to make a move into the lead, and the Cardinal would finish out a 72-65 win. The lead switched directions five times in the first half, with USC leading by as much as 12 during the first quarter before Stanford regrouped and moved ahead in the second. USC would be undeterred, however, fighting back and stealing away the advantage late in the frame to lead it 34-33 at halftime. USC was shooting 38.7 percent from the floor, while Stanford was ahead at 40 percent. Both teams landed four threes apiece in those first 20 minutes. The Cardinal would heat up further in the second half to make its move into the lead. USC would wrap the game shooting 35.5 percent from the floor to trail Stanford's 45.5 percent effort. Stanford also won out on the boards 41-31, while both teams made 14 free throws and Stanford hit eight 3-pointers to USC's seven. The Trojans were paced by Edwards with 20 points on the day, with Mazyck nearing a double-double performance on 18 points and eight rebounds. Moore also hit double digits with 17 points to go with five assists.Â
INJURY REPORTÂ Â Â Â
Freshman Shalexxus Aaron is currently sidelined as she rehabs back from offseason knee surgery. Asiah Jones has also missed USC's first 13 games with injury.
MOORE MATCHES MILLERÂ Â Â
In USC's 80-70 win at LMU on Dec. 1, Trojan sophomore Minyon Moore had a game-high 34 points on an incredible 21-of-23 shooting night from the free-throw line to go along with seven rebounds, two assists, two blocks and a steal. Moore's 34 points were the most scored by any USC player since Ariya Crook did so in 2014. In addition, her 21 free throws made matched the single-game program record set by Trojan great Cheryl Miller in 1985. Moore's 23 free throws attempted was also the second most in a single game all-time at USC.Â
HITTING HIGH MARKS IN HAWAI'IÂ Â Â
During USC's victorious run through the Rainbow Wahine Showdown the week of Thanksgiving, two milestones were hit by Trojans. With her fourth of a final 16 points in the Nov. 25 win over Marist, senior Kristen Simon joined the 1,000-point club at USC, becoming the 26th Trojan to break that barrier. The very next day, USC gathered a 71-60 win over host Hawai'i, notching USC head coach Mark Trakh's 400th career victory as a head coach. His career record now stands at 404-269 (.600) in his 23rd season of coaching. Now with 1,139 career points, Simon ranks No. 20 all-time in scoring at USC.Â
STAY GOLDÂ Â Â
These two simple words are being used to define a new culture shift and a hopeful rebirth of the storied USC women's basketball program under the direction of newly-minted Trojan head coach Mark Trakh. "With this team, it's all about the culture," Trakh said. "We want the golden standard of cultures here at USC and to get our kids to be on the same page — to work hard, work together, play together hard offensively and defensively, be consistent with that effort, and represent the university well on and off the floor. I think that's the formula to winning and getting back in the tournament, and having that structure will go a long way for us this year and moving forward."  #StayGold
TROJAN GREATNESSÂ Â Â
USC senior Kristen Simon has received national acclaim as one of the nation's top-20 centers named to the watch list for the 2018 Lisa Leslie Award. The Naismith Memorial Hall of Fame and Women's Basketball Coaches Association released their selections on Nov. 10. The award — named for Trojan great Lisa Leslie, who was a three-time All-American and 1994 National Player of the Year during her time at USC — will honor the nation's top center, to be announced at the NCAA Women's Final Four in Columbus, Ohio. This 20-player watch list will narrow to 10 in mid-February before five finalists are revealed in March. Simon was named to the 2017 All-Pac-12 Team as a junior, having led the Trojans in scoring (14.6 ppg) and rebounding (8.7 rpg). This season, she's averaging 7.7 points and 8.5 rebounds per game. The versatile Simon has collected 22 double-doubles in her USC career to date, boasting a 21-rebound performance as a sophomore to net the fourth most single-game records ever by a Trojan. That effort was just two boards away from the career-best posted by Leslie while she was a Trojan.
LOOK WHO'S BACKÂ Â Â
Mark Trakh is no stranger to the demands of being a head coach in one of the premier conferences for women's basketball. During his first tenure at USC (2004-09), he compiled a 90-64 overall record, making back-to-back NCAA appearances before a series of promising seasons that were eventually derailed by injuries to key players. Trakh also was able to compile an 8-3 record against crosstown rival UCLA while winning at least 17 games in each season as head coach. In his 22 years as a head coach — spanning Pepperdine, USC, New Mexico State and now a second stretch at USC — he has led his teams to eight NCAA appearances. For this 2017-18 season, Trakh has brought in associate head coach Jason Glover and assistant coaches Aarika Hughes, who played for Trakh at USC, and Blanche Alverson as his coaching staff.
SUPER SENIORÂ Â Â
Jordan Adams was granted a sixth-year of eligibility by the NCAA after a season-ending knee injury last year. Now, the captain is back to bring a veteran presence at the point guard position. Prior to her injury, the former McDonald's All-American was having her best season in a Trojan uniform, averaging 8.8 points and 5.6 rebounds per game and shooting over 55 percent from the floor in five games. This season, she's back as a full-time starter, averaging 5.3 ppg and 5.5 rpg.
MORE SENIOR STRENGTHÂ Â Â
Sadie Edwards, who earned Pac-12 All-Academic Honorable Mention after playing in all 30 games and starting the final 22 games last season, returns in the backcourt. The Connecticut product finished second on the team in 3-pointers made last season (24) and averaged 9.2 ppg, often being called upon to hit big shots. After a career-high 30-point game to kick off her senior campaign, Edwards is averaging 14.5 points per game and has nailed 24 threes this season to date.
BACK FOR MOOREÂ Â Â
USC guard Minyon Moore was undoubtedly USC's spark plug off the bench last season as a freshman, playing in all 30 games and leading the team in assists (4.0 apg) and steals (1.9 spg) in addition to finishing second in scoring (11.7 ppg). The Pac-12 All-Freshman Team selection shot 38 percent from 3-point range last season and also made a living at the free-throw line, shooting nearly twice as many free throws as the next player on the team. This season, she's a full-time starter and USC's second leading scorer with 15.4 points per game to go with a team-high 5.2 assists per game.
SPEEDY MAZYCKÂ Â Â
USC returns the services of junior Aliyah Mazyck, a tireless defender with burning quickness who averaged 6.6 ppg and 1.5 steals per game in 19 games last season. With her speed and threat from beyond the arc, a fully healthy Mazyck is guaranteed to cause huge problems for opponents this season. To date, she's USC's third leading scorer with 14.8 points per game and tops on steals with 3.0 per game. She's also landed a team-high 39 threes this season.
HIGH POWER DOWN LOWÂ Â Â
USC also has a quartet of young post players in sophomores Asiah Jones, Ja'Tavia Tapley, Dani Milisic and junior Marguerite Effa. Jones, an athletic 6-3 post played in 29 games as a true freshman and made some noise when she delivered eight blocks in a game against Mississippi State last season — the most by a USC player since Trojan great Lisa Leslie had eight in 1993 and the third most blocks ever recorded by a Trojan in a single game. She led USC in blocks last season with 35. Tapley, a versatile 6-3 forward, showed flashes of her potential last season after appearing in all 30 games and starting the last 15 of the year as a freshman. She set career highs with 15 points against Arizona and eight rebounds against WSU and averaged 5.7 ppg and 3.2 rpg. Also returning is redshirt sophomore Milisic, who brings both strength and length in the post. The 6-4 Australian looms as USC's tallest player on the roster this season. Milisic made her Trojan debut last year, playing in 20 games and shooting 40 percent from the floor. Rounding out the post players is 6-3 junior Effa, a native of Cameroon who prepped in Los Angeles and who boasts tremendous athletic ability.Â
THE NEW CREWÂ Â Â Â
The Trojans have two newcomers at the guard position, true freshmen Shalexxus Aaron and transfer Mariya Moore. Aaron, a 6-1 guard from Apple Valley, Calif., is the sister of current USC men's basketball player Shaqquan Aaron and was a CIF Southern Section First Team selection and CIF All-State Second Team pick as a senior in 2017. She is working her way back from a offseason knee surgery and has yet to be cleared for competition with the Trojans. Also eagerly awaiting her USC debut is All-American guard Mariya Moore. Mariya, the older sister of current sophomore Minyon, transferred to USC following three successful years at Louisville where she was a three-time selection to the Naismith Trophy Watch List and an All-ACC Second Team performer as a junior for the Cardinal after averaging 12.0 ppg, 5.1 rpg, and 4.9 apg and helping Louisville to the Sweet Sixteen. A jack of all trades, the 6-0 Moore finished in the top-10 at Louisville in career assists, 3-pointers made, and free throws made, and No. 13 all-time in career points (1,365), while registering five career double-doubles and one triple double (11 points, 11 rebounds, 10 assists vs. Syracuse). Moore will sit out the 2017-18 season due to NCAA transfer rules and will have one year of eligibility at Troy.
LAST SEASONÂ Â Â Â
USC finished up the 2016-17 season with a 14-16 overall record in head coach Cynthia Cooper-Dyke's fourth season at Troy. In Pac-12 play, USC finished tied for ninth place at 5-12 and fell in the first round of the Pac-12 Tournament to eight-seeded Cal.  At the close of the season, junior Kristen Simon picked up a place on the All-Pac-12 Team, while senior Courtney Jaco earned All-Pac-12 Honorable Mention and Pac-12 All-Defensive Honorable Mention. Freshman Minyon Moore, who was a two-time Pac-12 Freshman of the Week and USBWA National Freshman of the Week during the season, was selected to the Pac-12 All-Freshman Team. Simon was USC's top scorer and rebounder with 14.6 points and 8.7 rebounds per game. Moore led the team in assists (4.0 per game) and steals (1.9 per game). Jaco moved up to rank No. 2 all-time at USC in career 3-pointers as she added a team-high 68 threes to her career count in her final season at Troy.
COMMITTED!   Â
USC has added two new members to the Trojan family, as head coach Mark Trakh announced the signings of Jillian Archer and Desiree Caldwell to national letters of intent on Nov. 8. Archer and Caldwell will bring much-needed depth to their respective positions once they arrive on campus, as both prep standouts are set to don the Cardinal and Gold in the fall of 2018. A 6-2 forward from Santa Monica, Calif., Jillian Archer has made a name for herself as one of the best young rebounders and post players in the country. Ranked as the No. 47 overall player and No. 7 forward in the nation according to ESPN, Archer also currently ranks No. 54 overall and as the No. 8 forward according to ProspectsNation. Archer averaged 11.4 points per game to go along with 10.3 rebounds per game as a junior at Bishop Alemany HS in Mission Hills. Archer earned a spot on the All-CIF Southern Section Open Division First Team after she led her Lady Warriors to the CIF Southern California Division 1 Regional State Semifinals. A 5-6 point guard, Desiree "Desi" Caldwell hails from San Antonio, Texas. Ranked the No. 13 guard and the No. 74 overall player in the country according to ESPN, Caldwell currently sits as the nation's No. 14 overall player and No. 5 guard in the land according to ProspectsNation. Caldwell is a quick and savvy floor general who brings multiple years of international experience to Troy, having been part of the USA Basketball U16 National Team where she set the U16 assists record during her play in the 2015 FIBA Americas Tournament Championship. In that tournament held in Puebla, Mexico, she helped Team USA bring home the bronze medal with a 4-1 record. Caldwell will play her senior year of basketball at Byron P. Steele II HS in Cibolo, Texas, after playing one varsity season at Claudia Taylor Johnson HS in San Antonio. As a freshman, Caldwell compiled 316 points, 46 rebounds, 33 assists, and 23 steals, shooting 38 percent from the field and 80 percent from the free-throw line. Although Caldwell has spent the majority of her life in Texas, both of her parents are from California and surrounding Los Angeles areas. Her older sister, Recee, also started her collegiate basketball career at nearby UCLA before transferring to Texas Tech. Caldwell's international experience plus her extensive basketball background will serve her well when she arrives at USC. •
Galen Center | Los Angeles, Calif.
Friday, Jan. 5 | 8 p.m. PT
Series Record: USC leads 45-21
Last Meeting: L, 73-50 (Feb. 12, 2017 • Eugene, Ore.)
Current Streak: Oregon won 3
TV: Pac-12 National /Pac-12 Los Angeles / Pac-12 Oregon (PbB: Kate Scott; Analyst: Tammy Blackburn)
STREAM | STATSÂ | TICKETS
USC (10-3, 0-2) vs. #16 Oregon St. (11-2, 2-0)
Galen Center | Los Angeles, Calif.
Sunday, Jan. / | 1 p.m. PT
Series Record: USC leads 42-26
Last Meeting: W, 70-50 (Feb. 10, 2017 • Corvallis, Ore.)
Current Streak: USC won 1
TV: Pac-12Nat/LA/OR (PbB: Kate Scott; Analyst: Tammy Blackburn)
STREAM | STATSÂ | TICKETS
Promo: First 250 fans receive a USC clear tote bag; Postgame autograph session.
THIS WEEKÂ
The USC women are back at Galen Center to ring in the new year with a pair of Pac-12 contests against ranked opponents. The Trojans (10-3, 0-2 Pac-12) go up against No. 9 Oregon (13-2, 2-0) first, squaring off against the Ducks at 8 p.m. on Friday (Jan. 5). On Sunday (Jan. 7), USC will host No. 16 Oregon State (11-2, 2-0) in a 1 p.m. clash. The first 250 fans at Sunday's game will receive a free USC clear tote bag! Both games will be televised on Pac-12 Network, Pac-12 Los Angeles and Pac-12 Oregon with Tammy Blackburn and Kate Scott on the calls.Â
CLEAR BAGS, PLEASE!  Â
At Galen Center, the safety of our guests is of paramount importance.  With that in mind, beginning January 1, 2018, Galen Center has implemented enhanced security measures including a clear bag policy. To review the policy and to insure you come to your next event at Galen Center fully prepared please go to: www.galencenter.org/assets/img/Clear-Bag-Policy-0b9d0e3076.jpg. Thank you and Fight On!Â
IN THE NATION
USC is unranked in this week's AP and USA Today Coaches polls (as of Jan. 2). Oregon ranks No. 9 in both polls, and Oregon State is ranked No. 16 in both polls.Â
SCOUTING OREGON
The No. 9 Ducks are 13-2 overall and 2-0 in Pac-12 play after beating WSU 89-56 and Washington 94-83 last week enters the week 6-6 after an 83-71 loss to Tennessee last week. Sabrina Ionescu leads Oregon in scoring with 18.9 points per game, and Ruthy Hebard leads on the boards with 8.8 rebounds per game. USC is 45-21 all-time against Oregon after taking losses in the last three meetings. Last season, the Trojans lost to the Ducks 59-53 at Galen Center and 73-50 in Eugene. USC's last win over Oregon was a 74-67 win at Galen Center in the 2015-16 season.
SCOUTING OSUÂ Â Â Â
The No. 16 Beavers enter the week 11-2 overall and 2-0 in Pac-12 play after beating Washington 75-63 and WSU 71-53 last week. Marie Gulich leads OSU with 16.5 points and 9.1 rebounds per game. USC is 42-26 all-time against OSU after a split last season, where USC snapped a seven-game losing skid against the Beavers with a 70-50 upset on Feb. 10, 2017 in Corvallis.
LAST WEEKÂ Â Â
USC went toe-to-toe with two of the Pac-12 top contenders last week, taking a 76-64 loss to No. 20 Cal before getting edged out 72-64 at Stanford. In USC's Pac-12 opener in Berkeley, the Golden Bears' depth won the day. Five Trojans scored, with Kristen Simon serving up her 22nd career double-double with 11 rebounds and a game-high 20 points. Cal, however, had eight Bears score as the hosts fended off their visitors. Cal led by as much as 17 points during the third, only to see the Trojans carve that down to a four-point margin early in the fourth. In the end, it was a strong overall shooting effort by Cal that kept USC at bay. Cal shot 45.6 percent from the floor, went 17-of-20 from the line and nailed seven 3-pointers to counter the Trojans' efforts to close the gap. USC shot 38.1 percent and was 13-of-17 from the line while hitting a season-low three 3-pointers. Both teams had four players finish in double digits, with USC's Simon leading the pack with her 20 points along with 11 boards. Minyon Moore delivered five assists to go with her 14, while Aliyah Mazyck added 13 for the Trojan cause, hitting a pair of threes along the way. USC's Sadie Edwards had 10 points — all in the second half — to stand as USC's fourth double-digit scorer. In a New Year's Eve bash in Palo Alto, USC had the halftime advantage, but host Stanford had the depth and hot-shooting to make a move into the lead, and the Cardinal would finish out a 72-65 win. The lead switched directions five times in the first half, with USC leading by as much as 12 during the first quarter before Stanford regrouped and moved ahead in the second. USC would be undeterred, however, fighting back and stealing away the advantage late in the frame to lead it 34-33 at halftime. USC was shooting 38.7 percent from the floor, while Stanford was ahead at 40 percent. Both teams landed four threes apiece in those first 20 minutes. The Cardinal would heat up further in the second half to make its move into the lead. USC would wrap the game shooting 35.5 percent from the floor to trail Stanford's 45.5 percent effort. Stanford also won out on the boards 41-31, while both teams made 14 free throws and Stanford hit eight 3-pointers to USC's seven. The Trojans were paced by Edwards with 20 points on the day, with Mazyck nearing a double-double performance on 18 points and eight rebounds. Moore also hit double digits with 17 points to go with five assists.Â
INJURY REPORTÂ Â Â Â
Freshman Shalexxus Aaron is currently sidelined as she rehabs back from offseason knee surgery. Asiah Jones has also missed USC's first 13 games with injury.
MOORE MATCHES MILLERÂ Â Â
In USC's 80-70 win at LMU on Dec. 1, Trojan sophomore Minyon Moore had a game-high 34 points on an incredible 21-of-23 shooting night from the free-throw line to go along with seven rebounds, two assists, two blocks and a steal. Moore's 34 points were the most scored by any USC player since Ariya Crook did so in 2014. In addition, her 21 free throws made matched the single-game program record set by Trojan great Cheryl Miller in 1985. Moore's 23 free throws attempted was also the second most in a single game all-time at USC.Â
HITTING HIGH MARKS IN HAWAI'IÂ Â Â
During USC's victorious run through the Rainbow Wahine Showdown the week of Thanksgiving, two milestones were hit by Trojans. With her fourth of a final 16 points in the Nov. 25 win over Marist, senior Kristen Simon joined the 1,000-point club at USC, becoming the 26th Trojan to break that barrier. The very next day, USC gathered a 71-60 win over host Hawai'i, notching USC head coach Mark Trakh's 400th career victory as a head coach. His career record now stands at 404-269 (.600) in his 23rd season of coaching. Now with 1,139 career points, Simon ranks No. 20 all-time in scoring at USC.Â
STAY GOLDÂ Â Â
These two simple words are being used to define a new culture shift and a hopeful rebirth of the storied USC women's basketball program under the direction of newly-minted Trojan head coach Mark Trakh. "With this team, it's all about the culture," Trakh said. "We want the golden standard of cultures here at USC and to get our kids to be on the same page — to work hard, work together, play together hard offensively and defensively, be consistent with that effort, and represent the university well on and off the floor. I think that's the formula to winning and getting back in the tournament, and having that structure will go a long way for us this year and moving forward."  #StayGold
TROJAN GREATNESSÂ Â Â
USC senior Kristen Simon has received national acclaim as one of the nation's top-20 centers named to the watch list for the 2018 Lisa Leslie Award. The Naismith Memorial Hall of Fame and Women's Basketball Coaches Association released their selections on Nov. 10. The award — named for Trojan great Lisa Leslie, who was a three-time All-American and 1994 National Player of the Year during her time at USC — will honor the nation's top center, to be announced at the NCAA Women's Final Four in Columbus, Ohio. This 20-player watch list will narrow to 10 in mid-February before five finalists are revealed in March. Simon was named to the 2017 All-Pac-12 Team as a junior, having led the Trojans in scoring (14.6 ppg) and rebounding (8.7 rpg). This season, she's averaging 7.7 points and 8.5 rebounds per game. The versatile Simon has collected 22 double-doubles in her USC career to date, boasting a 21-rebound performance as a sophomore to net the fourth most single-game records ever by a Trojan. That effort was just two boards away from the career-best posted by Leslie while she was a Trojan.
LOOK WHO'S BACKÂ Â Â
Mark Trakh is no stranger to the demands of being a head coach in one of the premier conferences for women's basketball. During his first tenure at USC (2004-09), he compiled a 90-64 overall record, making back-to-back NCAA appearances before a series of promising seasons that were eventually derailed by injuries to key players. Trakh also was able to compile an 8-3 record against crosstown rival UCLA while winning at least 17 games in each season as head coach. In his 22 years as a head coach — spanning Pepperdine, USC, New Mexico State and now a second stretch at USC — he has led his teams to eight NCAA appearances. For this 2017-18 season, Trakh has brought in associate head coach Jason Glover and assistant coaches Aarika Hughes, who played for Trakh at USC, and Blanche Alverson as his coaching staff.
SUPER SENIORÂ Â Â
Jordan Adams was granted a sixth-year of eligibility by the NCAA after a season-ending knee injury last year. Now, the captain is back to bring a veteran presence at the point guard position. Prior to her injury, the former McDonald's All-American was having her best season in a Trojan uniform, averaging 8.8 points and 5.6 rebounds per game and shooting over 55 percent from the floor in five games. This season, she's back as a full-time starter, averaging 5.3 ppg and 5.5 rpg.
MORE SENIOR STRENGTHÂ Â Â
Sadie Edwards, who earned Pac-12 All-Academic Honorable Mention after playing in all 30 games and starting the final 22 games last season, returns in the backcourt. The Connecticut product finished second on the team in 3-pointers made last season (24) and averaged 9.2 ppg, often being called upon to hit big shots. After a career-high 30-point game to kick off her senior campaign, Edwards is averaging 14.5 points per game and has nailed 24 threes this season to date.
BACK FOR MOOREÂ Â Â
USC guard Minyon Moore was undoubtedly USC's spark plug off the bench last season as a freshman, playing in all 30 games and leading the team in assists (4.0 apg) and steals (1.9 spg) in addition to finishing second in scoring (11.7 ppg). The Pac-12 All-Freshman Team selection shot 38 percent from 3-point range last season and also made a living at the free-throw line, shooting nearly twice as many free throws as the next player on the team. This season, she's a full-time starter and USC's second leading scorer with 15.4 points per game to go with a team-high 5.2 assists per game.
SPEEDY MAZYCKÂ Â Â
USC returns the services of junior Aliyah Mazyck, a tireless defender with burning quickness who averaged 6.6 ppg and 1.5 steals per game in 19 games last season. With her speed and threat from beyond the arc, a fully healthy Mazyck is guaranteed to cause huge problems for opponents this season. To date, she's USC's third leading scorer with 14.8 points per game and tops on steals with 3.0 per game. She's also landed a team-high 39 threes this season.
HIGH POWER DOWN LOWÂ Â Â
USC also has a quartet of young post players in sophomores Asiah Jones, Ja'Tavia Tapley, Dani Milisic and junior Marguerite Effa. Jones, an athletic 6-3 post played in 29 games as a true freshman and made some noise when she delivered eight blocks in a game against Mississippi State last season — the most by a USC player since Trojan great Lisa Leslie had eight in 1993 and the third most blocks ever recorded by a Trojan in a single game. She led USC in blocks last season with 35. Tapley, a versatile 6-3 forward, showed flashes of her potential last season after appearing in all 30 games and starting the last 15 of the year as a freshman. She set career highs with 15 points against Arizona and eight rebounds against WSU and averaged 5.7 ppg and 3.2 rpg. Also returning is redshirt sophomore Milisic, who brings both strength and length in the post. The 6-4 Australian looms as USC's tallest player on the roster this season. Milisic made her Trojan debut last year, playing in 20 games and shooting 40 percent from the floor. Rounding out the post players is 6-3 junior Effa, a native of Cameroon who prepped in Los Angeles and who boasts tremendous athletic ability.Â
THE NEW CREWÂ Â Â Â
The Trojans have two newcomers at the guard position, true freshmen Shalexxus Aaron and transfer Mariya Moore. Aaron, a 6-1 guard from Apple Valley, Calif., is the sister of current USC men's basketball player Shaqquan Aaron and was a CIF Southern Section First Team selection and CIF All-State Second Team pick as a senior in 2017. She is working her way back from a offseason knee surgery and has yet to be cleared for competition with the Trojans. Also eagerly awaiting her USC debut is All-American guard Mariya Moore. Mariya, the older sister of current sophomore Minyon, transferred to USC following three successful years at Louisville where she was a three-time selection to the Naismith Trophy Watch List and an All-ACC Second Team performer as a junior for the Cardinal after averaging 12.0 ppg, 5.1 rpg, and 4.9 apg and helping Louisville to the Sweet Sixteen. A jack of all trades, the 6-0 Moore finished in the top-10 at Louisville in career assists, 3-pointers made, and free throws made, and No. 13 all-time in career points (1,365), while registering five career double-doubles and one triple double (11 points, 11 rebounds, 10 assists vs. Syracuse). Moore will sit out the 2017-18 season due to NCAA transfer rules and will have one year of eligibility at Troy.
LAST SEASONÂ Â Â Â
USC finished up the 2016-17 season with a 14-16 overall record in head coach Cynthia Cooper-Dyke's fourth season at Troy. In Pac-12 play, USC finished tied for ninth place at 5-12 and fell in the first round of the Pac-12 Tournament to eight-seeded Cal.  At the close of the season, junior Kristen Simon picked up a place on the All-Pac-12 Team, while senior Courtney Jaco earned All-Pac-12 Honorable Mention and Pac-12 All-Defensive Honorable Mention. Freshman Minyon Moore, who was a two-time Pac-12 Freshman of the Week and USBWA National Freshman of the Week during the season, was selected to the Pac-12 All-Freshman Team. Simon was USC's top scorer and rebounder with 14.6 points and 8.7 rebounds per game. Moore led the team in assists (4.0 per game) and steals (1.9 per game). Jaco moved up to rank No. 2 all-time at USC in career 3-pointers as she added a team-high 68 threes to her career count in her final season at Troy.
COMMITTED!   Â
USC has added two new members to the Trojan family, as head coach Mark Trakh announced the signings of Jillian Archer and Desiree Caldwell to national letters of intent on Nov. 8. Archer and Caldwell will bring much-needed depth to their respective positions once they arrive on campus, as both prep standouts are set to don the Cardinal and Gold in the fall of 2018. A 6-2 forward from Santa Monica, Calif., Jillian Archer has made a name for herself as one of the best young rebounders and post players in the country. Ranked as the No. 47 overall player and No. 7 forward in the nation according to ESPN, Archer also currently ranks No. 54 overall and as the No. 8 forward according to ProspectsNation. Archer averaged 11.4 points per game to go along with 10.3 rebounds per game as a junior at Bishop Alemany HS in Mission Hills. Archer earned a spot on the All-CIF Southern Section Open Division First Team after she led her Lady Warriors to the CIF Southern California Division 1 Regional State Semifinals. A 5-6 point guard, Desiree "Desi" Caldwell hails from San Antonio, Texas. Ranked the No. 13 guard and the No. 74 overall player in the country according to ESPN, Caldwell currently sits as the nation's No. 14 overall player and No. 5 guard in the land according to ProspectsNation. Caldwell is a quick and savvy floor general who brings multiple years of international experience to Troy, having been part of the USA Basketball U16 National Team where she set the U16 assists record during her play in the 2015 FIBA Americas Tournament Championship. In that tournament held in Puebla, Mexico, she helped Team USA bring home the bronze medal with a 4-1 record. Caldwell will play her senior year of basketball at Byron P. Steele II HS in Cibolo, Texas, after playing one varsity season at Claudia Taylor Johnson HS in San Antonio. As a freshman, Caldwell compiled 316 points, 46 rebounds, 33 assists, and 23 steals, shooting 38 percent from the field and 80 percent from the free-throw line. Although Caldwell has spent the majority of her life in Texas, both of her parents are from California and surrounding Los Angeles areas. Her older sister, Recee, also started her collegiate basketball career at nearby UCLA before transferring to Texas Tech. Caldwell's international experience plus her extensive basketball background will serve her well when she arrives at USC. •
Women's Basketball Head Coach Lindsay Gottlieb Media Availability 9/18/25
Thursday, September 18
USC WBB's Lindsay Gottlieb, Rayah Marshall and Talia von Oelhoffen | Trojan Press Conference
Monday, March 31
USC WBB heads to the Elite 8, defeats Kansas State in Sweet 16 | Rapid Reaction
Saturday, March 29
Kennedy Smith on USC WBB heading to the Elite Eight, Trojan freshmen getting the job done
Saturday, March 29
