The Trojans start the season with a comfortable victory at Galen Center. Next up: Long Beach State at Galen Center on Tuesday at 6:30 p.m. PT.
The O Zone
USC will play bigger teams than Coppin St., but not many rosters will have the size to handle Omar Oraby. In only 14 minutes, the 7'2" center controlled the paint with 16 points, 6 rebounds and 3 blocks. "Thank goodness he's eligible," said Kevin O'Neill. "He makes a huge difference in our team. This guy is only scratching the surface." Oraby is also an accomplished free throw shooter, which is a rare skill at his height. He made all six attempts tonight.
Wesley on the Wing
Byron Wesley has a rebuilt jump shot, a sculpted physique and a jolt of confidence. The sophomore is using more of a set shot than a jump shot, but he did knock down three threes, which is two more than he made all of last year. Even more, playing alongside other offensive talents, he has much more space on the floor to employ his slashing game. "It makes it way easier," said Wesley. "We have players that can do pretty much everything...shoot, drive, so it just opens up the court for me." O'Neill challenged Wesley in practice to be more consistent with his effort, and he praised him as the "best perimeter defender" for USC tonight.
In-n-Out
Kevin O'Neill played 15 players, including 11 in the regular rotation. In the last decade of Trojan basketball, no team has had this kind of depth at the head coach's disposal. "I'm still feeling my way through the post thing," said O'Neill about divvying up the minutes to his loaded front court. "It's not like we are putting bad players in for good players. We are putting good players in. I'd be comfortable starting the 14 guys we have on our team in different situations." The odd men out tonight were Renaldo Woolridge, Brendyn Taylor and Strahinja Gavrilovic, who played only the final minute.
And 1...
J.T. Terrell struggled in the first half going 0-for-7 from the field, but he settled down to score 15 of his game high 17 points after the break.
Here is Byron Wesley after the game...
The O Zone
USC will play bigger teams than Coppin St., but not many rosters will have the size to handle Omar Oraby. In only 14 minutes, the 7'2" center controlled the paint with 16 points, 6 rebounds and 3 blocks. "Thank goodness he's eligible," said Kevin O'Neill. "He makes a huge difference in our team. This guy is only scratching the surface." Oraby is also an accomplished free throw shooter, which is a rare skill at his height. He made all six attempts tonight.
Wesley on the Wing
Byron Wesley has a rebuilt jump shot, a sculpted physique and a jolt of confidence. The sophomore is using more of a set shot than a jump shot, but he did knock down three threes, which is two more than he made all of last year. Even more, playing alongside other offensive talents, he has much more space on the floor to employ his slashing game. "It makes it way easier," said Wesley. "We have players that can do pretty much everything...shoot, drive, so it just opens up the court for me." O'Neill challenged Wesley in practice to be more consistent with his effort, and he praised him as the "best perimeter defender" for USC tonight.
In-n-Out
Kevin O'Neill played 15 players, including 11 in the regular rotation. In the last decade of Trojan basketball, no team has had this kind of depth at the head coach's disposal. "I'm still feeling my way through the post thing," said O'Neill about divvying up the minutes to his loaded front court. "It's not like we are putting bad players in for good players. We are putting good players in. I'd be comfortable starting the 14 guys we have on our team in different situations." The odd men out tonight were Renaldo Woolridge, Brendyn Taylor and Strahinja Gavrilovic, who played only the final minute.
And 1...
J.T. Terrell struggled in the first half going 0-for-7 from the field, but he settled down to score 15 of his game high 17 points after the break.
Here is Byron Wesley after the game...
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