NCAA Basketball: Top 25 frontcourts for 2020-21 season
By Ian Mumm
Trojans . 5. team. 519. . .
The outlook for the Trojans has drastically improved ahead of the 2020 season, with the signing of the #3 overall recruit Evan Mobley. The 5-star talent is a considerable weapon to add to this year’s roster to replace the departures of Onyeka Okongwu and Nick Rakocevic.
Mobley’s versatility on the floor, specifically as a 7-footer, is why NBA scouts are so enamored with his game. While he possesses a sound back-to-the-basket repertoire, he has soft touch from both the mid-range and perimeter as well. His impact on the court extends to being an elite shot-blocker with the mobility and ball handling to lead the break and make plays on both ends for his team.
Evan joins his brother, Isaiah, to again give the Trojans a formidably tall frontcourt group. Evan and Isaiah (6’11) give Southern Cal a very similar look to last season’s roster, but with much more natural chemistry to build off of. Isaiah didn’t have the ideal freshman season with the program, but 2020 presents a prime opportunity for him to grab a starting job. Despite getting quality minutes next to Okongwu and Rakocevic, Isaiah was not a priority within last season’s rotation.
He stands to have competition for the starting gig from Wofford transfer Chevez Goodwin. Coming off his best season at the college level, Goodwin has improved considerably in every season he’s played. His growth and maturity to operate and score at this level have become very evident and his experience will be very beneficial to the young group heading into 2020.
However, Long Beach St transfer Joshua Morgan also joins the team as a productive option on both ends of the floor. Morgan is an efficient offensive player that will provide solid depth, but he blocked nearly three shots per game last season and will add another stout rim protector for USC.
Freshman center Boubacar Coulibaly is yet another solid rim protector for Southern Cal to utilize, but his offensive production on last summer’s Adidas Gauntlet was as disruptive as Evan Mobley’s output. The double-double machine will be anxiously waiting in the wings to crack the lineup and contribute on the same level as he did last season.
With so much height on this year’s roster, opposing shooters are going to have to get comfortable with the fact that scoring away from the rim is a requirement for beating USC in 2020.