A Giant has Awoken!
| 11
|
by user The Beast
In beautiful downtown Los Angeles, a giant has awoken. He has been asleep for nearly a century. This sleeping giant I speak of is USC Basketball. For years, it was laughable, but nobody is laughing at it now for it is clearly awake and ready to do some damage.
It has been a remarkable turnaround for the Trojans. However, many observers are beginning to wonder why it is happening so quickly. Many more factors are making the Trojans a sleeper pick for the Final Four.
Defense: The easy answer is good defense. The Trojans have been astoundingly good this year defensively, allowing just over 60 points a game, one of the best in the Pac Ten. Tim Floyd’s squad is forcing turnovers and getting easy points in transition.
Coaching stability: Floyd has stated on multiple occasions that this is his final stop for him. All of the players understand that this jusn’t isn’t a springboard for him to get back to the NBA. All of the them trust Floyd and believe in what he says.
Leadership: The Trojans are led by a solid core of players such as Juniors Nick Young and Gabe Pruitt, along with Seinor Lodrick Stewart. All three have carried the load for USC this year while leading a solid group of underclassman.
Could this Trojan team be just a one-hit wonder. Critics might be inclined to say yes, but several factors hint at the fact that USC could be a national power for the years to come.
O.J. Mayo: Its not just that Mayo is going to play for the Trojans, but the domino effect that it has had for the program. After Mayo committed and eventually signed, many more prospects such as Devon Jefferson (’07), Brandon Jennings (’08), and Malik Story (’08), also committed to USC.
The Galen Center: The men of Troy finally have an arena to call their own. Previously they played at the old Sports Arena, while practicing at the old North Gym, which evoked images of a detention cell. The Trojans can now practice at their own arena site, no longer using a “neautral site” for home games. Floyd has felt that the Galen Center creates a unique “home court advantage that has helped the Trojans to earn several victories this season, specifically the three point home win over Oregon.
Southern California and Floyd: The Southern California region is a hotbed for recruiting. Many of the nation’s top prospects hail from the Greater Los Angeles territory. Floyd’s experience as a former NBA coach appeals to 18 year olds who aspire to rach the pros oneday. His experience and enthuism should attract the best of what Southern California has to offer.
Also featured at http://socalsportsblog.blogspot.com/index.html
