Pac-12 Basketball: Way-too-early preseason 2019-20 power rankings
By Connor Hope
5) USC Trojans
There is no doubt in my mind that USC has one of the most talented rosters in not just the Pac-12, but in the entire nation. With that said, there seems to be a constant disconnect between Head Coach Andy Enfield and his players.
Enfield loves to utilize a chaotic defense to force turnovers and create strong transition opportunities. This is how he was able to build a respectable program at FGCU, and it is how he is attempting to build USC into a Pac-12 powerhouse. However, this strategy requires buy in from the players, something that has seemed to remain absent.
This year, with some of the rumored egos gone, the Trojans have a good opportunity to shake their reputation as an inefficient team focused on individual play. With transfers Quinton Adlesh and Daniel Utomi joining Derryck Thornton, Jonah Mathews, Nick Rakocevic and a Top 10 recruiting class, the Trojans may have more talent and depth this season than in any other year under Enfield.
This will be the ultimate test for Enfield, whose tenure at USC has been underwhelming at best. If he can take the talent this year and put together a respectable NCAA Tournament team, he should buy himself at least a few more seasons. However, if the Trojans fail to make the Big Dance for a third consecutive year, with the talent they have, AD Lynn Swann may be forced to begin searching for a new head coach.