Given that one of the key components of team success in college basketball lately is experience, USC is actually in a strong position in the next 2-3 seasons.
Thanks to the NCAA handing out a free year, this already-experienced team will return everyone who wants to return in 2021-2022. Of course, Evan Mobley is a lock to be gone, and likely one or two of the grad transfers could go. But it's also possible that one or all of the grad transfers DO return. In which case, while next year's team won't have a top 3 NBA pick at its disposal, it will be loaded with players who helped USC finish with what might end up as its best season in a couple decades.
As it turns out, USC picked the best possible year to have three key grad transfers and another transfer as part of its rotation.
Here is the potential roster in 2021-2022:
Tajh Eaddy - SR
Isaiah White - SR
Chavez Goodwin - SR
Drew Peterson - JR
Noah Baumann - JR
Isaiah Mobley - SO
Josh Morgan - SO
Ethan Anderson - SO
Max Agbonkpolo - SO
KJ Allen - SO
Reese Waters - FR
Boubacar Coulibaly - FR
Harrison Hornery - FR
Malik Thomas - FR
Kobe Johnson - FR
Things also look fantastic on the experience front in 2022-2023. Obviously, it's possible (maybe even likely) that one or two of these guys could transfer or go pro, but it's not set in stone yet.
Drew Peterson - SR
Noah Baumann - SR
Isaiah Mobley - JR
Max Agbonkpolo - JR
Josh Morgan - JR
Ethan Anderson - JR
KJ Allen - JR
Boubicar Coulibaly - SO
Reese Waters - SO
Malik Thomas - SO
Harrison Hornery - SO
Kobe Johnson - SO
At least one more recruit.
Each of these juniors save Allen will really be seniors, and all of the sophomores will in actuality be juniors. If we can find someone like a Kijani Wright or another top guard talent, this stands to be a really experienced and talented group.
Finally, the 2023-2024 season will potentially include experience up the wazzu:
Isaiah Mobley - SR
Max Agbonkpolo - SR
Josh Morgan - SR
Ethan Anderson - SR
KJ Allen - SR
Boubicar Coulibaly - JR
Reese Waters - JR
Malik Thomas - JR
Harrison Hornery - JR
Kobe Johnson - JR
Plus at least 3 more recruits.
You won't find many NCAA teams in 2024 with 10 juniors and seniors. And, while it's looking far ahead, but Ethan, Max and Isaiah could wind up being a part of the winningest recruiting class in USC history when they're all done (thanks in large part to that extra season).
This all really bodes well for this program for the next three years. It's hard to look too far out because some things could change on a dime and injuries are always a factor but, based on how the experience on the roster projects, the next two USC teams look like they are likely to be NCAA tournament bound.
Thanks to the NCAA handing out a free year, this already-experienced team will return everyone who wants to return in 2021-2022. Of course, Evan Mobley is a lock to be gone, and likely one or two of the grad transfers could go. But it's also possible that one or all of the grad transfers DO return. In which case, while next year's team won't have a top 3 NBA pick at its disposal, it will be loaded with players who helped USC finish with what might end up as its best season in a couple decades.
As it turns out, USC picked the best possible year to have three key grad transfers and another transfer as part of its rotation.
Here is the potential roster in 2021-2022:
Tajh Eaddy - SR
Isaiah White - SR
Chavez Goodwin - SR
Drew Peterson - JR
Noah Baumann - JR
Isaiah Mobley - SO
Josh Morgan - SO
Ethan Anderson - SO
Max Agbonkpolo - SO
KJ Allen - SO
Reese Waters - FR
Boubacar Coulibaly - FR
Harrison Hornery - FR
Malik Thomas - FR
Kobe Johnson - FR
Things also look fantastic on the experience front in 2022-2023. Obviously, it's possible (maybe even likely) that one or two of these guys could transfer or go pro, but it's not set in stone yet.
Drew Peterson - SR
Noah Baumann - SR
Isaiah Mobley - JR
Max Agbonkpolo - JR
Josh Morgan - JR
Ethan Anderson - JR
KJ Allen - JR
Boubicar Coulibaly - SO
Reese Waters - SO
Malik Thomas - SO
Harrison Hornery - SO
Kobe Johnson - SO
At least one more recruit.
Each of these juniors save Allen will really be seniors, and all of the sophomores will in actuality be juniors. If we can find someone like a Kijani Wright or another top guard talent, this stands to be a really experienced and talented group.
Finally, the 2023-2024 season will potentially include experience up the wazzu:
Isaiah Mobley - SR
Max Agbonkpolo - SR
Josh Morgan - SR
Ethan Anderson - SR
KJ Allen - SR
Boubicar Coulibaly - JR
Reese Waters - JR
Malik Thomas - JR
Harrison Hornery - JR
Kobe Johnson - JR
Plus at least 3 more recruits.
You won't find many NCAA teams in 2024 with 10 juniors and seniors. And, while it's looking far ahead, but Ethan, Max and Isaiah could wind up being a part of the winningest recruiting class in USC history when they're all done (thanks in large part to that extra season).
This all really bodes well for this program for the next three years. It's hard to look too far out because some things could change on a dime and injuries are always a factor but, based on how the experience on the roster projects, the next two USC teams look like they are likely to be NCAA tournament bound.
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