Ruben Report: What questions must be answered as USC begins practice on Monday
Monday is the first official practice day for head coach Andy Enfield and the 2023-23 USC Trojans. Here is a look at a few key topics and some major questions that need answers.
The Trojans had an early ten days of practice in July before the European trip, which undoubtedly helped the coaching staff begin to analyze the roster. Vince Iwuchukwu was not on the trip and neither was Bronny James. Bronny’s status is still unclear but Iwuchukwu is reportedly ready to participate fully in fall practice.
There are big expectations for this Trojan team with the additions of Isaiah Collier and his freshman mates, the unexpected return of Boogie Ellis, and an added year of experience for the younger players on the team should make a big difference. Before Bronny’s heart issues in July, there was anticipation of tremendous media interest and coverage. Now that may be somewhat dimmed depending on whether Bronny plays for the Trojans this season, and if so, when.
There are many very good things to look forward to with this Trojan team, but let’s focus on the questions the coaching staff will need to sort out before the November 6 opener in Las Vegas.
The Trojans Appear To Lack Depth At Guard
Kobe Johnson is listed as a “forward” or “wing” but in reality, he is a big guard who can shoot from three and play inside as well. The three starting guards, Isaiah, Boogie and Kobe, are as good as any trio in the country. Isaiah has yet to play a real game but his skill set is readily apparent; he has great size, can absorb contact on his way to the rim, is tremendous at finding teammates through small windows, and will create more open shots for Boogie and Kobe.
Isaiah is not a proficient shooter from outside and does not make a good percentage from the line. If he can improve in these two areas this fall, the Trojans will have one of the best backcourt players to ever wear a Trojan uniform.
Boogie and Kobe had great seasons last year. With Isaiah handling the ball most of the time when they are both on the floor Boogie will get more and better outside shots and more room to drive inside. Kobe made a tremendous leap from his freshman year and I expect a similar, if not as large, improvement in his play this season. He has the potential to be one of the better guards in the league.
The problem for the Trojans in the backcourt is depth. With Bronny fully healthy and playing to his ability the problem is much smaller, but his health issues have heightened the issue. The only other true guard on the team is sophomore Oziyah Sellers who struggled last season to adapt to the college game and did not look noticeably better in the three European games.
The Trojans need Oziyah to play much better. If one of the other guards is injured or has foul trouble USC will be seriously undermanned without a much-improved Oziyah.
Transfer DJ Rodman is listed as a forward but he is undersized and has a very good shot from beyond the three-point line. He may play in relief of Kobe at times but he cannot be counted on to handle the ball. In Europe, he started at small forward but with only one big on the floor the Trojans were small, negating their size, one of the big plusses of the team. Tre White couldn’t handle some of the big forwards on other teams and DJ is smaller and plays smaller than Tre. I anticipate DJ playing some forward and some wing.
Front Court Defense And Rebounding
In Europe, the Trojans front court could not handle the size of the teams they played. They were outmuscled underneath on the boards and the opposing bigs were able to get good shots inside.
The Trojans have very good size for a college team with four players 6-foot-10 or taller – Vince, Josh Morgan, Harrison Hornery and freshman Arrinten Page. Josh was an All Pac 12 defensive player last season and Vince is tremendously athletic. However, the Trojans were not a good rebounding team on either end last season and they lost their best defensive rebounder in Drew Peterson.
This group, along with DJ, Kobe, Kijani Wright and 6-foot-7 freshman Brandon Gardner, must rebound better. In the latter stages of last season, Wright began to play much better position defense and he did the same in Europe. He used his body to keep his man further out than his opponent wanted. Kijani looks like he slimmed down and is quicker and can jump higher than last season. He was a McDonald’s All-American and can be a big contributor.
Josh and Vince too often tried to use their athleticism and leaping ability last season and while they blocked shots and altered others they were out of position for the rebound if they didn’t get the block. They both need to learn when to go after a shot and when to put a hand in the shooter’s face and block out to rebound.
The coaching staff will need to determine how much the two freshmen can help this season. Page is now 6-foot-11 and extremely athletic. I didn’t see enough of him in Europe to know how well he plays defense but did note that he got lost a number of times on the defensive end. Brandon is a tremendous athlete but seems raw. He is the best leaper to play for USC in years. If he finds his way into the rotation he will be one of the exciting players to watch in the conference.
How Will The Trojans Use Hornery?
Hornery made six of seven threes in the final game in Europe, reminding everyone that he can be a major weapon on offense. He is not quick and has trouble guarding a quick forward outside and can lose his man on a drive. He plays good position defense inside and blocks out well.
He can be effective against an opponent who plays two bigs from the free throw line in. Against those teams on offense he can take an opposing big away from the basket and score outside while creating more open lanes for the guards to get to the rim. The other way Harry can be effective is in a defense where he is already inside. Enfield has played some zone in the last few seasons and Harry is a better fit in a zone.
Harry’s offense can help make up for the lack of depth at guard in the right circumstances. He hasn’t played a lot in his first two seasons but may have a much larger role this year.
Can The Trojans Generate Enough Scoring From The Front Court
Assuming Rodman isn’t playing a lot at forward, USC needs its front court to score much more. USC only rarely received significant scoring from its bigs last season. Josh has improved each season and Vince will hopefully be a much different player with full summer and fall practices under his belt. They both can and need to score more, especially Vince who has NBA potential.
Wright displayed more offense in Europe and Page showed some ability on the offensive end. The Trojans will likely play by committee in the front court early in the season and hope that one or two players separate themselves so that a rotation becomes clear. USC probably will need at least 15-20 points per game from this group.
Can Josh And Vince Play Together
For several years, Enfield used two bigs at the same time, often playing one near the free-throw line and the other inside. This worked well with Big O, the Mobley brothers and Chevez Goodwin. But in order for this type offense to work both bigs need to be reasonably good passers and one needs to be able to make shots from 12-15 feet. As fall practice begins it’s unclear if the Trojans have the right pieces to play two bigs together.
The Trojans will want to use their size and with the lack of depth in the backcourt USC will probably need to play two bigs together. That lineup should help on the boards and with interior defense. Enfield may need to devise a different offense to play to the strengths of this roster.
Enfield has said in the past that he prefers to use the same defensive principles from year to year but changes his offense to maximize the strength of his roster. It will be interesting to watch in the early games how he uses his front court personnel.
How Much Will USC Run This Season
The Trojans have a tremendous point guard who gets up court very quickly as well as a quick secondary ball handler in Ellis and a third guard they can use occasionally to handle the ball in Johnson. Most of the bigs are also very athletic.
Enfield has hinted that he wants to play faster this season, getting back to the type of offense he used when JMac played the point. He has the athletes to play this style and ball handlers in Collier and Ellis who like to play fast.
I expect to see the Trojans run at every opportunity this season and with the great athleticism on this team they may play a style similar to Enfield’s Dunk City teams at Florida Gulf Coast. Iwuchukwu, Page and Gardner especially can really run and have the ability to score on breaks. When Morgan got the ball last season on a break he was very effective.
Collier and Ellis are both very good at finishing at the rim, can absorb contact and score for a potential three-point play. Ellis is very good from the line. It would help if Isaiah improved his free throw shooting.
And One
The Trojans have the players to be very good this season. If James is able to play, they will have another very good perimeter defender to go along with Johnson. If Sellers can get comfortable in game situations and contribute off the bench he will solve a lot of the depth issue at guard.
The coaching staff has a lot of four-star and top hundred players to work with. Eric Mobley will likely be doing a lot of teaching in fall practice, showing his frontcourt players the nuances which can make a big difference.
Iwuchukwu’s play may be the one biggest factor in how far the Trojans can go in the postseason. Page is very athletic at 6-foot-11 and has the potential to be a big contributor, though he will have to demonstrate he is ready for a major role this season.
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