COLUMN: Men’s basketball moving up in Pac-12


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The third year of coach Andy Enfield’s tenure at the helm of the USC men’s basketball program is underway, and for the first time in the last four years, the Trojans look like a competitive Pac-12 basketball team. This is not to say that the team is going to contend for a conference title this year or make a run to the tournament — though they could surprise some people — but this year’s squad [will] be in most of their games.

This is a wild improvement from where they have been, especially over the first two years of Enfield’s time at USC. This is not a make-or-break season for the young coach if they show some positive signs of improvement. However, if there is no upward trajectory and they again finish in the bottom of the Pac-12, I don’t think he makes it to his fourth season.

The good news for him, and Trojan basketball fans in general, is that this team has shown some signs of forward progress. The team is currently 1-0, with a 40-plus point blowout win over the University of San Diego in its opener. A big win over a weak non-conference opponent normally isn’t cause for celebration, but USC’s players flashed major glimpses of potential on Friday.

Part of the problem in Enfield’s first two seasons was an absolute dearth of talent on the roster. The Men of Troy did not field a team the last two years that was filled all Division I caliber players. This year, they finally have. Enfield’s last two recruiting classes are finally starting to pay some dividends for the program.

The two highly touted freshman recruits, Chimezie Metu and Bennie Boatwright, both appear to be immediate contributors to the Trojans’ front court. Metu, a local product out of Lawndale, has the length and raw athleticism to be a potent force on both offense and defense. With a 6-foot-11 frame and great speed for his size, Metu fits Enfield’s offensive mold perfectly. He still needs to fill out and add some bulk, but that will come with time. His raw skillset allows him to be a contributor from day one.

The other half of the freshman duo, Boatwright, is another tall and lanky forward. Unlike Metu, who does most of his work down low, Boatwright has the ability to space the floor and score from outside as well. For years USC has floundered from beyond the arc, but the combination of Boatwright and an improved Katin Reinhardt and Elijah Stewart may allow the Trojans to finally space the floor a little bit more.

If the first game is any indication, sophomore swingman Elijah Stewart is vastly improved. Stewart closed last season out on a run, playing phenomenally well in an upset over Arizona State in the Pac-12 tournament. Last season, the versatile swingman demonstrated a knack for lockdown defense while also demonstrating his ability to beat his man off the dribble and attack the paint. This year, it appears he has added a reliable jump shot to his arsenal, making him even more effective.

In addition to Stewart, sophomore point guard Jordan McLaughlin also has added new dimensions to his games. The most prized recruit of the Enfield era thus far, McLaughlin dealt with injuries and struggled to adjust to the speed of the college game last year. Even so, he still managed to put together a respectable debut season, and now that he has a better feel for the nuances of Division I basketball, he can put his considerable talents to better use.

Rounding out the Trojans’ squad are some of the now upperclassmen who have been around for a few years. Reinhardt, guard Julian Jacobs and big man Nikola Jovanovic all have developed nicely in their time at USC. Reinhardt appears to have added muscle over the summer and worked on his shooting mechanics with Enfield. If he can develop into a consistent and reliable threat from deep, the Trojans will greatly benefit.

In addition, Jovanovic gives them a formidable presence  who the Trojans can feed for some easy baskets in half court offensive sets. The forward has developed a couple of excellent moves in the paint, and will be a double-double threat every time he steps onto the court.

This early part of the season is a pivotal stretch in Enfield’s time at USC. He doesn’t need USC to compete with Duke and Kentucky. He just needs to lead a competitive team that has shown marked signs of improvement. If he can do that, most of the rational Trojan fan base will be happy with his work.

Jake Davidson is a junior majoring in accounting. His column, “Davidson’s Direction,” runs Mondays.