USC Basketball: 3 reasons Trojans will be better than UCLA in 2020-21

3. USC Basketball’s ability to play longer, more athletic lineups is an advantage

While the strength of the Trojans next season may be the depth of its backcourt, with regards to being better than UCLA, I think it will be their length and frontcourt depth that will give them a leg up on the Bruins. While three of UCLA’s top returners, Chris Smith, Cody Riley, and Jalen Hill all measure 6-9 or taller no other returning player is taller than 6-6 (6-9 Kenneth Nwuba returns after seeing just three minutes per game as a freshman two seasons ago).

The Trojans on the other hand will have six players that measure 6-7 or taller that will likely see significant minutes as a part of Enfield’s rotation. Both freshmen, Mobley and Coulibaly, as well as incoming transfers Goodwin and White will join the elder Mobley and fellow sophomore Max Agbonkpolo who is likely to see an increased role in his second year, after averaging just 2.5 points per game in 24 contests as a freshman.

USC’s ability to throw out longer lineups with athleticism and versatility against some of the bigger teams in the Pac-12 will give them somewhat of an advantage over a UCLA team that will likely have its three lengthiest players as a part of their starting lineup.