Los Angeles, CA – The USC Trojans men’s basketball team hosted the San Diego Toreros at the Galen Center in Los Angeles, California.
On paper these two teams gave the impression that they were equally matched. Both teams being very light on seniors in their lineup and having an ample amount of returning underclassmen, but that was truly an illusion. The Trojans sent the Toreros back to San Diego with a huge loss 83 – 45.
The Trojans came out of the tip off with all intentions maintaining their winning streak over the Toreros. The Trojan’s field goal percentage was at all most 49% in the first half verses the Toreros mere 21%, which was a contributing factor to USC being up 23 points at the half. At no time was the Trojans lead ever in danger.
USC owned the floor with Jordan McLaughlin putting up 20 points and 3 others in double digits (Bennie Boatwright, Julian Jacobs and Elijah Stewart). In addition to out scoring the Toreros, the Trojans also issued out lessons in defensive rebounding. The Trojans pulled down 40 defensive rebounds giving infinite second chance opportunity. Now it should be noted that Chimezie Metu is in route to being a blocking machine he just needs to get a touch stronger in his ball handling skills then he will be utterly dangers.
San Diego clearly was still trying to adjust to their new coaching staff’s ( Head Coach Lamont Smith and Assistant Coaches Russell Springmann, Sam Scholl, Chris Gerlufson) way of playing ball. There were several times during the game when they lacked confident about where everyone was suppose to be on the play as if it were their first time playing together. USD did have a few rays of sunshine during the Trojan rainstorm with Hunter Summy’s beautiful 3 point shot with a assist from Tyler Williams and Duda Sanandze contribution of 12 points.
This was USC season opener and they did it in great Hollywood fashion. Hopefully this is a glimpse into their season’s future.
