Orlando Classic Preview: Get to Know USC’s Prospective Opponents

When the sun rises on Thanksgiving Day there’s a lot to be thankful for. We should be thankful for our families, our friends, and — if you go to USC — you should also be thankful for a watchable basketball team.

USC’s basketball team is 4–0 for the first time since the 2000–01 season and playing by far the best ball of coach Andy Enfield’s tenure. The Trojans are 12th in the country in scoring, averaging 93 points per game, and are shooting a boiling 40% from downtown.

Optimism is back in Southern California, and for good reason, but there’s reason to wait on that tentatively until the team returns from this week’s Orlando Classic.

Not to knock the quality of Monmouth or New Mexico, in fact we’ll have to wait and see how they’re seasons go to measure how much impressive those wins are for USC, but the talent down in Florida is just on another level.

USC gets things rolling against Wichita State, most recently ranked 20th in the country. Let’s take a look at what the Shockers will throw at the Trojans and what lies ahead when USC plays its other two games of the Orlando Classic.

1st Round - #20 Wichita State (11 am PT):

Last Season: 30–5, Lost in NCAA Sweet 16 to Notre Dame

This Season: 2–1

Coach: Gregg Marshall (206–77 at Wichita State)

Player to Watch: With the slow start from point guard Fred VanVleet, Ron Baker has carried the load for the Shockers, averaging a team and career high 20.3 PPG. The senior shooting guard is having his best shooting season of his four-year college career, yet is shooting a career low from three, at 35%. Expect a lot of Julian Jacobs and Elijah Stewart on the senior guard.

Other Notes:

1. Wichita State has already lost this season, falling to Tulsa in their second game of the season.
2. Fred VanVleet unlikely to play in Orlando. Averaged almost 14 points per game last year at the point.
3. Landry Shamut, VanVleet’s backup, is out 10–12 weeks. Big advantage for Jordan McLaughlin tomorrow.

Round 2 - Either #23 Xavier or Alabama (If USC wins they play the winner, if they lose they play the loser):

1) #23 Xavier:

Last Season: 23–14, lost in NCAA Sweet 16 to Arizona

This Season: 4–0

Coach: Chris Mack (138–71 at Xavier)

Player to Watch: Trevon Bluiett’s numbers would lead you to believe he’s a big man, but the 6-foot-6 guard from Indianapolis has been killing it on the boards. The Sophomore guard is averaging 14.3 PPG and 9.3 RPG, both good enough to lead the Musketeers in both. He’s also lit it up from three, shooting over 47% on over five attempts per game.

Other Notes:

1. Xavier has seven players averaging at least 9 points per game and all play 21+ minutes. Six of the seven average double figures.
2. Xavier won on the road at #24 Michigan, for their second win of the season, by 16 points.
3. Xavier has outscored their opponents by 49 points this season, and every game has been by nine or more points.

2) Alabama:

Last Season: 19–15, Lost in NIT 2nd Round

This Season: 2–1

Coach: Avery Johnson — first year coaching in college (254–186 as NBA coach)

Player to Watch: On a team without a bona fide star, Dazon Ingram is the do-it-all guard who affects every part of the game for the Crimson Tide. Ingram, 6-foot-5, 185 pounds, is 1st in minutes per game, 3rd in points per game, 2nd in assists per game, and 1st in rebounds per game. He’s also 2nd in steals per game. His free throw and three point shooting have been non-existent this season though. Something to keep an eye on for USC’s guards.

Other Notes:

1. Alabama got blown out by another Orlando Classic contestant, Dayton, 80–48 on the road.
2. Alabama hit 15 threes in their last game, a win over Louisiana-Lafayette. Had only made nine in their first two games.
3. Retin Obasohan and Shannon Hale are the only players averaging double-digit points (14 and 11 per game).

Final Round- Monmouth, Iowa, Dayton, or #17 Notre Dame

1) Monmouth

Last Season: 18–15, 3rd in MAAC

This Season: 2–1 (lone loss to USC)

Coach: King Rice (53–78 with Monmouth)

Player to Watch: Justin Robinson has been one of the most potent scorers in college basketball on the young season. He’s also one of the smallest guys on the court. At 5-foot-8, the point guard is averaging 24 PPG, as well as over three assists, while shooting just under 38% from three. If Monmouth are to win a game or two in Orlando, they need Robinson to set the tone in every game.

Other Notes:

1. Quality wins over UCLA and Drexel
2. Played USC very tight
3. Three other players in double figure scoring: Colin Stewart (12 PPG),

2) Iowa

Last Season: 22–12, Lost in NCAA 3rd Round to Gonzaga

This Season: 3–0

Coach: Fran McCaffery (99–75 at Iowa)

Player to Watch: Senior Jarrod Uthroff is back for the Hawkeyes and has been key to the team’s undefeated start to the season. The 6-foot-9 forward is averaging 16.3 points per game and 5.7 rebounds per game through three contests. He’s also shooting a career high from the field (54.5%), from three (45.5%), and the free throw line (88.9%). His ability to score inside and out is invaluable for Iowa, as well as his leadership.

Other Notes:

1. Seven Hawkeyes are averaging eight or more points per game.
2. Iowa took down Marquette by 28 points, a team that took down Ben Simmons and LSU.
3. Iowa’s senior point guard, Mike Gesell, is averaging 8.3 assists per game, good enough for tied for fourth in the nation.

3) Dayton

Last Season: 27–9, Lost in NCAA 3rd Round to Oklahoma

This Season: 3–0

Coach: Archie Miller (93–47 with Dayton)

Player to Watch: Dayton’s leading scorer in 2015–16 wasn’t the leading scorer on the team last year. In fact, he didn’t even play in a game for the Flyers last year. Charles Cooke, a transfer from James Madison, is filling it up this year, averaging 15.3 points, 6.3 assists, and two assists. The 6-foot-5 guard is averaging over one block per game and shooting 43% from three.

Other Notes:

1. Crushed Orlando Classic participant, Alabama, 80–48.
2. Five players who can score the ball, averaging 10 points or more per game
3. After some big NCAA runs under Coach Miller, Dayton will not be intimidated in the slightest.

4) #17 Notre Dame

Last Season: 32–6, Lost in Elite 8 to Kentucky

This Season: 3–0

Coach: Mike Brey (335–165 with Notre Dame)

Player to Watch: Demetrius Jackson’s play last season got a bit overlooked by the stellar play of his back court mate, and first round draft pick to the New york Knicks, Jerian Grant. This is now Jackson’s team and he’s off to a tremendous start. Jackson is leading the team with 20 PPG and five assists. He’s their leader and floor general and a tough matchup for any opponent.

Other Notes:

1. Notre Dame, along with Jackson, got back stellar big man Zach Auguste, who almost helped will the Irish past Kentucky last year. He’s averaging a double-double, with 17 points and 10 rebounds.
2. The Irish are tied for 16th in the country in Assist/Turnover ratio.
3. Junior, V.J. Beachem, is having a breakout year, averaging career highs of 10.7 points per game and six rebounds per contest.