ASU Basketball: 2019 Pac-12 Week 17 Power Rankings
By Trevor Booth
5. USC Trojans (15-13, 8-7 Pac-12) LW: 7
If it weren’t for Jaylen Nowell and Tres Tinkle, Bennie Boatwright would likely be the frontrunner for Pac-12 Player of the Year.
On Saturday, the 6-foot-10 senior reiterated that confidence in himself and his team, saying “I think we can get in the (NCAA) Tournament… if we get a bye.”
At 15-13 (8-7 Pac-12), USC still has that opportunity. The Trojans are one game out of a top-four seed in the conference standings, and this week’s clash with UCLA will break a tie in fifth.
But boy, did Andy Enfield’s team miss a great opportunity last week.
The Trojans began their final homestand on the right note, pulling away from Oregon for a 66-49 victory Thursday night. Boatwright made his impact with 20 points and six rebounds, but the difference came in ‘SC’s defense – holding the Ducks to 18-of-54 (33 percent) shooting and 4-of-21 (19 percent) from 3-point range.
However, Saturday’s 67-62 loss to Oregon State is what will stick. The Trojans had the chance to reach third, but were exploited of weaknesses apparent throughout the season.
Nick Rakocevic fouled out in just 10 minutes of play, limiting a presence to open USC’s 3-point attack (8-of-27) and pursuit of the rim. The Trojans shot only six free throws, missing all of them.
With the nation’s third-ranked recruiting class arriving this Fall, it can be easy to classify this year as a wash. However, Boatwright won’t let his senior year go to waste, and the Trojans still have surrounding talent (Kevin Porter Jr.) to make a run in Vegas happen.
No team has ever won the Pac-12 Tournament without a bye, which makes tomorrow’s matchup with the Bruins that much more important.
– Booth