Advertisement

USC buzz as Pac-12 title favorite grows with the arrival of Bronny James

Matt Wadleigh
·5 min read
1

The last time USC men’s basketball won the Pac-12 championship, the Pac-12 did not exist. The 1985 Pac-10 season marked the rise of USC under then-coach Stan Morrison. Nearly 40 years later, USC is still searching for its next conference championship on the hardwood. The year 1985 was a time when the USC women’s basketball program was enjoying its dynastic period under future icon Cheryl Miller. The Trojans won multiple national championships in the mid-1980s and were a regular Final Four team. Men’s basketball is still waiting for that next conference crown, and for its first Final Four trip since 1954.

Just how serious a contender is USC in the 2024 Pac-12, the last season of Pac-12 basketball for the program before its move to the Big Ten? Let’s take an early look. Some national commentators, as you will quickly find out, are already buying in. Bronny James is part of this, but it’s also about the roster Bronny James is joining at USC:

SOME ARE THINKING ABOUT THIS ALREADY

USC BIG 3 PLUS A USC BIG MAN NAMED VINCE

STAR POWER IN THE PAC-12

BOOGIE ELLIS AND THE SUPPORTING CAST

NATIONAL PODCASTERS EVALUATE USC IN THE PAC-12

USC VS UCLA

If Amari Bailey goes pro, that might be enough to put USC ahead of UCLA in preseason national rankings and in Pac-12 projections. Decisions about the NBA draft have yet to be made for a few key UCLA players. Keep that in mind when you compare the Trojans and Bruins for the 2024 college basketball season.

USC VS ARIZONA

Oct 13, 2021; San Francisco, CA, USA; Arizona Wildcats head coach Tommy Lloyd addresses the media during Pac-12 menÕs basketball media day. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports

Arizona head coach Tommy Lloyd knows how to reload his roster each season. He grabbed former Alabama point guard Jaden Bradley in the transfer portal. Arizona will have a lot of size and length. USC will have an elite backcourt and will probably need to outscore Arizona in a track meet. If USC plays a slow-paced, halfcourt-oriented game, Arizona’s size and brawn in the paint might be too much (again) for the Trojans. Arizona has had USC’s number in recent years.

ARIZONA VS UCLA

Jan 21, 2023; Tucson, Arizona, USA; Arizona Wildcats center Oumar Ballo (11) blocks a shot by UCLA Bruins guard Jaime Jaquez Jr. (24) during the second half at McKale Center. Mandatory Credit: Zachary BonDurant-USA TODAY Sports

If you were to compare Arizona and UCLA (leaving USC and Bronny James out of the equation for just a moment), Arizona clearly has the better roster right now. Even if Amari Bailey returns to UCLA, the Wildcats would still likely have the edge in a two-team comparison with the Bruins.

OREGON

Feb 12, 2022; Eugene, Oregon, USA; Oregon Ducks head coach Dana Altman reacts during the second half against the California Golden Bears at Matthew Knight Arena. Mandatory Credit: Soobum Im-USA TODAY Sports

Oregon struggled the past two years but has a great recruiting class coming into Eugene. How USC, UCLA, and Arizona handle Oregon will be a key part of how the 2024 Pac-12 basketball race shakes out.

COLORADO

Dec 1, 2021; Los Angeles, California, USA; Colorado Buffaloes head coach Tad Boyle reacts against the UCLA Bruins in the first half at Pauley Pavilion. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Between returning players and the arrival of transfers such as former TCU big man Eddie Lampkin, Colorado has what is widely viewed as a top-20-caliber team. How USC, UCLA and Arizona play the Buffs will also be a central Pac-12 plot point in the coming college basketball season.

KEY REMINDER ABOUT USC AND BRONNY JAMES

The USC roster isn’t finalized yet. The Trojans need a power forward, and if they can get a good one, their stock will rise even higher. Keep an eye on that.

LISTEN TO OUR BRONNY JAMES USC PODCAST EPISODE FOR MORE ANALYSIS

Story originally appeared on Trojans Wire