Busting Brackets
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USC Basketball: What to expect from the 2017 recruiting class

By Stuart Gill

Mar 17, 2017; Tulsa, OK, USA; USC Trojans head coach Andy Enfield looks on during the first half against the Southern Methodist Mustangs in the first round of the 2017 NCAA Tournament at BOK Center. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 17, 2017; Tulsa, OK, USA; USC Trojans head coach Andy Enfield looks on during the first half against the Southern Methodist Mustangs in the first round of the 2017 NCAA Tournament at BOK Center. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports /
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Mar 17, 2017; Tulsa, OK, USA; USC Trojans head coach Andy Enfield reacts at the end of the game against the Southern Methodist Mustangs in the first round of the 2017 NCAA Tournament at BOK Center. USC defeated SMU 66-65. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 17, 2017; Tulsa, OK, USA; USC Trojans head coach Andy Enfield reacts at the end of the game against the Southern Methodist Mustangs in the first round of the 2017 NCAA Tournament at BOK Center. USC defeated SMU 66-65. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports /

Victor Uyaelunmo

While forwards Chimezie Metu and Bennie Boatwright were valuable scoring options last season, the Trojans were still lacking some size on both ends of the court. It held USC back from taking down teams with notable bigs such as UCLA, Arizona, and, of course, Baylor, who relied on Johnathan Motley all season long. The addition of 7-footer Victor Uyaelunmo will change that.

He is uncharacteristically athletic given his height and will become invaluable if he is able to take attention away from Boatwright and Metu, allowing them more space to go to work. He will also cause headaches for defenses if and when USC runs the pick-and-roll.

Uyaelunmo is also a defensive workhorse. If he continues to come away with blocks at the collegiate level, there will be no reason to keep him on the bench. With him patrolling the paint the Trojans would likely have won conference games that came down to the wire a year ago, such as the home loss to Arizona, a one-point loss to Arizona State, and a two-point loss to UCLA in the Pac-12 tournament.

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