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USC's MOST IMPORTANT FACTOR FOR POST-SEASON SUCCESS (Choose Two)

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  • #1

    USC's MOST IMPORTANT FACTOR FOR POST-SEASON SUCCESS (Choose Two)

    As we embark on our PAC-12 and NCAA journeys, I wanted to know what the USCBasketball contingent thought were the most important factors for our prolonged success. I am not going to include a few of the obvious:

    1- Improved/Clutch Free-Throw Shooting
    2- Defense Shaping Back Into Early Season Form - Holding Opponents Under 70
    3- Minimizing Turnovers

    Those are musts. ...as are a fortunate draw, and getting quality referees - both of which are out of our control.

    These next factors are all important, but PICK YOUR TOP TWO difference-making factors from the choices provided (and feel free to mention more):
    45
    Significant Bench Contribution on Offense
    6.67%
    3
    Evan Playing More Aggressively on O - Earning his way to the Charity Stripe 10+ Times Per Game
    51.11%
    23
    Keeping Drew Peterson Going
    48.89%
    22
    Getting Better Looks from Behind the Arc, and Knocking Down a Better %
    82.22%
    37
    Getting Isaiah White Healthy
    6.67%
    3
    Tags: None
    • Likes 6
  • #2
    Good poll. Getting better looks behind the arc is the clear choice, but I went with keeping Drew Peterson going because we need a third person to step up after Tahj and Evan to be successful
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    • #3
      Fun poll. I think Peterson is our clear x-factor. All good choices, but we have to keep Drew rolling.

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      • #4
        USC is holding opponents to 64 points on average. If USC can put the ball in the bucket enough to beat that (score 65 or more ppg), the Trojans are 19-1, when they score below 65, they are 2-5.

        There's a high likelihood that USC plays good defense and the opponent doesn't shoot lights out, so USC getting to 65 points in most cases will be enough.
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        • #5
          Cute poll Mojo, it's cool we can do those, I went with:

          Drew Peterson - huge honestly, having a 3rd consistent threat is just that important going forward.

          Behind the arc - while Evan getting more aggressive would be great, if we knock shots down from 3 them they have to spread the floor or play man, both of which are fodder for our big man to go to work. Additionally, we can keep up with teams that are hot. We have this threat, we're golden.

          ​​​​​
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          • SC MOJO
            #5.1
            SC MOJO commented
            03-08-2021, 03:14 PM
            Editing a comment
            All great points. I'm wit cha, Trojans2021.

            I also think the Isaiah White factor will be de-emphasized, as most of us are taking for granted that he'll be good-to-go. (Goodness, I hope so!)
        • #6
          I think if we just do the first three givens, then the rest will be icing. But that won’t happen every night so I go for hitting the 3 and getting some aggression from Evan.
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          • #7
            Originally posted by NYtrojan View Post
            Good poll. Getting better looks behind the arc is the clear choice, but I went with keeping Drew Peterson going because we need a third person to step up after Tahj and Evan to be successful
            Yeah I went with the same 2 as well. I think Evan and Tahj have been more consistent than others so I'm hoping that "good" Drew shows up the rest of the way, especially if White is not available or is at less than full-strength.

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            • #8
              This has been discussed elsewhere already: 3 scorers in double digits and were undefeated. So I went with keep Drew going and more bench contributions.

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              • #9
                The answer is obvious here. In our six losses this season, here are our three point shooting percentages...

                UConn: 15.8%
                Colorado: 37.5%
                Oregon State: 30%
                Arizona: 35%
                Colorado: 31.3%
                Utah: 15.4%

                When we shoot over 40%, we are 9-0.
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                • #10
                  Originally posted by TVofTroy View Post
                  The answer is obvious here. In our six losses this season, here are our three point shooting percentages...

                  UConn: 15.8%
                  Colorado: 37.5%
                  Oregon State: 30%
                  Arizona: 35%
                  Colorado: 31.3%
                  Utah: 15.4%

                  When we shoot over 40%, we are 9-0.
                  I think any team shooting over 40% from 3 is almost guaranteed to win, so I don't think this statistic is particularly insightful for our USC team.

                  37.5% should be good enough to beat colorado assuming we play defense like we're supposed to and utilize our big men.

                  Similarly with O state and Arizona. While I think shooting over 40% would have us waltzing into victory in most games, its hard to manifest that desire into a game plan -- perhaps more set plays for our 3 pt shooters?

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                  • #11
                    Defensive Rebounding. Even though we are a good rebounding team our losses to Colorado(2), Arizona, & UConn we got out-rebounded. Rebounding=toughness. The level of athletes we will see in the NCAA is going to elevate. We will have to up our ability to control the defensive glass.

                    Controlling the defensive glass will help in many ways:

                    1. I have confidence the defense will bring it. Not allowing offensive rebounds where the rebounder can kick the ball out for open 3 pt looks or easy baskets near the rim. In tournament games those extra offensive possessions are killers.
                    2. As I'm pretty sure we will struggle in half court offensive sets, keeping teams off the off the offensive glass will allow us to get back up the floor where we can potentially get some open looks(rhythm jumpers) before opposing teams have time to set up their defense.
                    3. In most of the games we lost we got out worked. Out toughed. Controlling the glass sends a statement.
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                    • #12
                      If it were me, I'd also include an option to shoot 71% free throws the rest of the way. That would be probably rival the three-point shooting for me.

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                      • #13
                        Originally posted by swamdog View Post
                        Defensive Rebounding. Even though we are a good rebounding team our losses to Colorado(2), Arizona, & UConn we got out-rebounded. Rebounding=toughness. The level of athletes we will see in the NCAA is going to elevate. We will have to up our ability to control the defensive glass.

                        Controlling the defensive glass will help in many ways:

                        1. I have confidence the defense will bring it. Not allowing offensive rebounds where the rebounder can kick the ball out for open 3 pt looks or easy baskets near the rim. In tournament games those extra offensive possessions are killers.
                        2. As I'm pretty sure we will struggle in half court offensive sets, keeping teams off the off the offensive glass will allow us to get back up the floor where we can potentially get some open looks(rhythm jumpers) before opposing teams have time to set up their defense.
                        3. In most of the games we lost we got out worked. Out toughed. Controlling the glass sends a statement.
                        Rebounds are also about scheme though - a defense that packs the paint ill generally do better at nabbing balls.

                        We like to play man on defense which can spread our guys away from the rim - however, it's no excuse not to body up and letting guys run through us for a put back is inexcusable.

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                        • SC MOJO
                          #13.1
                          SC MOJO commented
                          03-09-2021, 10:52 AM
                          Editing a comment
                          Totally. Some of our players continue to run right under the rim like kids just learning to play the game. The Mobley's and I.White are exceptional, but we're such a tall team, our team technique just has to be better. We should own rebounds by an even larger margin every game. With occasional dry spells on O, we're going to need as many possessions as possible to make that deep run.
                      • #14
                        The most important thing is hitting shots. We need to make ours; they need to miss theirs.

                        We have one of the best players in the country and he's seven feet tall. They can't shoot over him. On defense they will pack it in around him. What's left is most often the three.

                        Tournament games, like most others, will be won and lost with shooting percentages. Sometimes it's just luck.

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                        • #15
                          Yes...... and if we make threes then they cannot afford to pack the paint. This is why the most important thing to do going forward is to be more consistent from the 3pt line. Then ith our height we will be even more dominant on the boards........ also to your point we need to make more of our shots. I have noticed we miss too many close put back shots. FO! GREAT YEEAR.LOVE THIS TEAM

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