USC Basketball: 5 reasons Trojans will win the 2018 NCAA Tournament

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Mar 19, 2016; Providence, RI, USA; Duke Blue Devils guard Derryck Thornton (12) brings the ball up court against the Yale Bulldogs during the first half of a second round game of the 2016 NCAA Tournament at Dunkin Donuts Center. Mandatory Credit: Mark L. Baer-USA TODAY Sports /

Derryck Thornton is going to take a lot of people by surprise.

The sophomore transfer from Duke is ready to join the action after sitting out a year due to NCAA regulations. He had success as a Blue Devil, but evidently never felt comfortable in his role after being coaxed into graduating from High School early to join the 2015 recruiting class.

With seniors McLaughlin and Stewart sticking around, Thornton isn’t expected to play a major role but something tells me he is going to have a big year. During what would have been his senior year in high school, Thornton appeared in all 36 games for the 2015-2016 Blue Devils, making 20 starts. He averaged seven points and nearly three assists.

Now, Thornton has had a year to prepare for NCAA basketball — the year that he initially sacrificed by reclassifying. Watch for him to make a run at becoming the top PG in the nation.

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