USC Basketball: 2018-19 season preview for the Trojans

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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TULSA, OK – MARCH 17: De’Anthony Melton /

Season Outlook

The Pac-12 isn’t as strong as it has been in year’s past, leaving USC with the opportunity to finish in the top-5 of the conference, a position it wouldn’t have been with a team like this last year. On paper, the group isn’t overly impressive, but it surely has the opportunity to be successful in perhaps the weakest Power-6 conference this season.

A non-conference schedule with two ranked opponents may be difficult, giving USC two chances to prove it belongs in the AP poll before conference play begins. It may not be able to win either of those contests, but it should earn a quality win over Vanderbilt on the second game of the season.

In the best case, USC is dealt with a double-digit seed in the NCAA Tournament, one that may require a play-in game for the Trojans to reach the Round of 64. However, it is unlikely that USC even wins a tournament game due to its lack of talent.

Next. Preseason Pac-12 Rankings for 2018-19. dark

If USC finds itself on the bubble again come Selection Sunday, the committee may consider giving the Trojans the benefit of the doubt after leaving USC out of the 2018 Tournament in a baffling decision.

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