Pac-12 Basketball: 10 key questions looming for 2021-22 season

Mar 22, 2021; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; (Editors Notes: Caption Correction) Oregon Ducks head coach Dana Altman talks with his team during a timeout against the Iowa Hawkeyes during the first half in the second round of the 2021 NCAA Tournament at Bankers Life Fieldhouse. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports /

7 of 11

USC Trojans USC Basketball Jeffrey Swinger-USA TODAY Sports /

5. Who’s the next star for the USC Trojans?

The USC Trojans had quite a historic season in 2020-21 as they went 25-8 on the year and finished second in the Pac-12 standings with a 15-5 record. Head coach Andy Enfield taking home Pac-12 Coach of the Year honors and freshman sensation Evan Mobley making a clean sweep of the league’s Player of the Year, Defensive Player of the Year and Rookie of the Year awards.

Mobley became the first player in history to win all three awards in the same year but with him off to the NBA, who’s the next star for the Trojans?

The Trojans had a deep run in the 2021 NCAA Tournament, making it to the Elite Eight and defeating Pac-12 foe, Oregon on the way. With the loss of Mobley and All-Pac-12 second-team guard Tahj Eaddy, there’s room for a new face to step up and contribute.

Drew Peterson will be back. He’s a 6-foot-8 forward that put up 9.8 ppg, 5.0 rpg and 2.7 apg while shooting 38.5 percent from 3-point range. They’ll also add Boogie Ellis (Memphis) and freshman Malik Thomas in the backcourt.

Ellis was the American Athletic Conference Sixth Man of the Year in 2020-21, posting 10.2 ppg, 2.1 rpg, 1.5 apg and 1.1 spg for Memphis this past year. Thomas is an emerging player that put up 22.6 ppg, 5.6 rpg, 2.2 apg and 1.9 spg in his final season of high school basketball. He’ll look to bring a similar pedigree in 2021-22.

Andy Enfield will have some work to do finding his team’s identity this upcoming season. With some key additions in all areas though, they should return to NCAA Tournament form.

Home/Pac-12