Busting Brackets
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Pac-12 Basketball: Ducks to remain the league’s best

By Carmine Carcieri

March 12, 2016; Las Vegas, NV, USA; Oregon Ducks head coach Dana Altman celebrates after cutting down the net after the championship game of the Pac-12 Conference tournament against the Utah Utes at MGM Grand Garden Arena. The Ducks defeated the Utes 88-57. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
March 12, 2016; Las Vegas, NV, USA; Oregon Ducks head coach Dana Altman celebrates after cutting down the net after the championship game of the Pac-12 Conference tournament against the Utah Utes at MGM Grand Garden Arena. The Ducks defeated the Utes 88-57. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports /
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Mar 5, 2016; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Southern California Trojans guard Jordan McLaughlin (11) shoots against Oregon Ducks forward Dwayne Benjamin (0) during the game at Galen Center. Mandatory Credit: Richard Mackson-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 5, 2016; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Southern California Trojans guard Jordan McLaughlin (11) shoots against Oregon Ducks forward Dwayne Benjamin (0) during the game at Galen Center. Mandatory Credit: Richard Mackson-USA TODAY Sports /

7. USC Trojans

2015-16 record: 21-12 overall, 9-9 in Pac-12, reached first round of NCAA Tournament

Head coach: Andy Enfield

Key returning players: Jordan McLaughlin, Bennie Boatwright, Elijah Stewart, Chimezie Metu

Newcomers: Four-star SG Jonah Mathews, four-star SG De’Anthony Melton, three-star C Nick Rakocevic, three-star PF Harrison Henderson, Louisville transfer G/F Shaqquan Aaron, Minnesota GS transfer F Charles Buggs

The Trojans are likely going to take a little bit of a step back in 2016-17 after reaching last season’s NCAA Tournament. USC has a shot to reach the Big Dance, but it would be surprising if they won 21 games and finished higher than 7th place in the Pac-12.

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Why? They lost veteran guard Julian Jacobs and stretch big Nikola Jovanovic to the NBA Draft (even though both players weren’t selected in either round), and they still have a relatively young roster.

Point guard Jordan McLaughlin is the best returning player of the bunch, as he was the team’s leading scorer (13.4 points) in 2015-16 and is the leader of the group in 2016-17. Bennie Boatwright and Chimezie Metu bring athleticism and upside to the front court, while guard Elijah Stewart is a knock down shooter who is the perfect compliment alongside McLaughlin.

Meanwhile, the newcomers will be especially important in terms of providing depth. Four-star shooting guards Jonah Mathews (the brother of Gonzaga’s Jordan Mathews) and De’Anthony Melton are the two best freshman on the team, while Louisville transfer Shaqquan Aaron is a versatile player who can slide in at the two, three or four position. Finally, Charles Buggs is the most experienced player on the roster as a graduate transfer from Minnesota.

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