USC Basketball: 2019-20 takeaways from road win over UCLA

By Andy Patton | Jan 12, 2020

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - MARCH 14: Head coach Andy Enfield of the USC Trojans reacts during a quarterfinal game of the Pac-12 basketball tournament against the Washington Huskies at T-Mobile Arena on March 14, 2019 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Huskies defeated the Trojans 78-75. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images) /

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LOS ANGELES, CA – DECEMBER 21: Isaiah Mobley #15 of the USC Trojans reacts (Photo by Jayne Kamin-Oncea/Getty Images) /

USC’s depth can step up when they need them

Another reason USC was able to leave LA with a win, despite Okungwu’s foul trouble, was the performance of two key depth pieces: Ethan Anderson and Daniel Utomi.

Anderson had 14 points, 12 in the first half, while Utomi chipped in 13. Those two guys came into the game averaging 4.7 and 5.4 points, respectively, but managed to step up and replace Okungwu’s offense at a crucial time.

Utomi did most of his damage from beyond the arc, hitting three of USC’s seven three-pointers, while Anderson went 6-9 from the field, including drilling his only three and grabbing five rebounds with three assists.

The Trojans only played eight players, and the bench combined for just 10 points, but Anderson and Utomi proved that they can put points on the board – something we haven’t seen either of them do much of this season.

For USC to make any kind of run in March, they’ll need their depth players to step up. Okungwu clearly can’t be relied upon to score 15-20 every single game, but if this team can find other players to pick up the slack on days he’s not there – or even when he is – it will go a long way toward them finishing in the top half of the PAC-12 and possibly even contending for a championship in a conference that has proven it can be won by just about anyone.

However, while having added scorers is great, USC did show some flaws on Saturday, flaws they’ll need to address if they want to win in March:

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