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Analysis of D.J. Rodman coming to USC — experts think Trojans made a significant upgrade

matt wadleigh
·6 min read
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What did we tell you? We told you that USC, even with the additions of Bronny James and Isaiah Collier, still needed another roster piece. The Trojans still needed a forward, ideally someone who could play rugged defense, offer some rebounding and toughness, and make a reasonable percentage of 3-point shots to draw defenders outside the paint.

D.J. Rodman, who committed to USC in the transfer portal on Tuesday, coming from Washington State, does those things well. He checks several different boxes for the Trojans and Andy Enfield. He might be a little undersized, but his skill set is precisely what USC needed.

This is why USC fans and national college basketball experts are both buzzing about the Trojans and what they can become next season. There has never been a more talented roster in the Enfield era. USC enters the new season with more buzz than any other team in the past 20 years. The last USC team to enter a season with a comparable amount of hype is the 2002 team which followed the 2001 team’s run to the Elite Eight.

That team got a No. 4 seed in the 2002 NCAA Tournament. This 2024 USC team should get a higher NCAA Tournament seed.

Let’s provide more analysis of D.J. Rodman below, as shown in tweets from commentators plus our own insights:

IF UCLA FANS ARE IMPRESSED, THAT SAYS IT ALL

BRONNY OFF THE BENCH! THIS ROSTER IS LOADED

LOTS OF DEFENSE TO GO WITH ALL THAT BACKCOURT OFFENSE

EXPERTS AGREE WITH US

LEGIT TITLE CONTENDER

OTHER NOTES

Dec 4, 2021; Pullman, Washington, USA; Washington State Cougars forward D.J. Rodman (11) reaches for the ball agaistn USC Trojans guard Drew Peterson (13) in the first half at Friel Court at Beasley Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: James Snook-USA TODAY Sports

D.J. Rodman scored 16 points against USC on January 1 of this year, when Washington State beat the Trojans. Rodman played well against USC. Now he brings his skill set to USC. Playing Wazzu just got a whole lot easier. Playing the Pac-12 got easier, since Rodman knows how to play other Pac-12 opponents as well.

KESHAD JOHNSON

With Rodman now at USC, transfer forward Keshad Johnson is unlikely to commit to the Trojans. The main thing is for him to not pick Arizona. That’s what really matters now.

CATCH AND SHOOT 3-POINTERS

That percentage on catch-and-shoot 3-pointers is eye-popping. If USC gets anything close to that from Rodman this season, watch out. Isaiah Collier is the perfect point guard to pair with a player such as Rodman.

DJ RODMAN ATTRACTED BUZZ FROM GONZAGA ANALYSTS

If D.J. Rodman was someone Gonzaga bloggers and podcasters talked about, you know he was a prized portal piece. USC now has him. It’s a really big deal.

BENCH DEPTH

Feb 13, 2021; Pullman, Washington, USA; USC Trojans guard Drew Peterson (13) shoots against Washington State Cougars forward DJ Rodman (11) in the first half at Friel Court at Beasley Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: James Snook-USA TODAY Sports

With Rodman likely to start at the power forward spot, USC’s starting lineup is likely to be Rodman, Vince Iwuchukwu at center, Kobe Johnson at small forward, Boogie Ellis at shooting guard, and Isaiah Collier at point guard. Holy cow.

This leaves Bronny James as the sixth man off the bench, Josh Morgan as the backup center, Kijani Wright as an added backup big man, Arrinten Page as a big man who could slot into power forward, and Oziyah Sellers on the wing.

USC has real depth in the frontcourt and backcourt and is now in position to mix and match depending on what it needs. There will not be a severe drop-off in quality when Enfield goes to the bench, unlike other USC seasons. Two of the three — Isaiah Collier, Bronny James, and Boogie Ellis — will always be on the floor. Two will play while one sits and gets rest. USC will always have a good offensive five-man unit on the court.

This team is in position to do something very, very special.

Story originally appeared on Trojans Wire