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USC Basketball: 2018-19 season preview for the Trojans

By Drew Dinnhaupt

LAS VEGAS, NV - MARCH 09: Jonah Mathews #2 of the USC Trojans brings the ball up the court against the Oregon Ducks during a semifinal game of the Pac-12 basketball tournament at T-Mobile Arena on March 9, 2018 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Trojans won 74-54. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
LAS VEGAS, NV - MARCH 09: Jonah Mathews #2 of the USC Trojans brings the ball up the court against the Oregon Ducks during a semifinal game of the Pac-12 basketball tournament at T-Mobile Arena on March 9, 2018 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Trojans won 74-54. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images) /
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Projected Starting Lineup

G – Jonah Mathews

Mathew’s was the weakest link in USC’s starting lineup last season, but he’s the top returning guard from last year. Averaging 9.3 points per game and 2.6 rebounds per game, his numbers weren’t overwhelming. However, Mathews saw much better shooting percentages in his second college season. His three-point percentage rose from .331 to .423, while his field goal percentage went to .458 after shooting .372 his freshman season. Although not a huge contributor last season, Mathew’s looks to be the most important piece in USC’s backcourt in 2019.

G – Derryck Thornton

The former 5-star recruit and Duke commit have not perfumed even remotely close to his expectations. The Los Angeles native posted a mere 3.8 points per game while playing less than 15 minutes per contest. In Thornton’s first year as a starter for USC, little can be expected from a player who has never found his groove in college.

G – Kevin Porter Jr.

If you don’t know the name yet, you’ll be familiar with the freshman within just a few days of the college basketball season. Porter, a five-star prospect in high school, is one of the most explosive players in the freshman class and has a habit of throwing down emphatic dunks on a nightly basis.  If you don’t have a reason to watch USC basketball this season, Porter will make you think otherwise.

F – Bennie Boatwright

Boatwright is undoubtedly USC’s star this season. While his junior campaign was cut short due to a season-ending knee injury, Boatwright looks to contend for the Pac-12 Player of the Year in his senior season. Boatwright averaged 13.6 points and 6.4 rebounds in 23 games last season; he’s the top returning scorer and rebounder for the group.

F – Nick Rakocevic

Rakocevic isn’t an overly exciting player, but his improvements from his freshman to sophomore year could predict a big junior season. The big man posted 8.1 points per game last season after averaging a mere 5.3 points per game his freshman year. His rebounding numbers shot up from 3.7 boards per game to 6.2 boards per game. With a starting role this season, it wouldn’t surprise me if Rakocevic averaged a double-double in the 2018-19 season.

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