Pac-12 Basketball: 2022 biggest offseason winners and losers
By Tuck Clarry
Loser – USC
The Trojans are a second team that could squabble over their placement in the “losers” section of this off-season list. They crushed their recruiting for the season. They bring in five-star Vince Iwuchukwu and four-star forward Kijani Wright to help replenish their front court. Small forward Tre White offers much-needed perimeter help for scoring wing Drew Peterson. But it’s difficult to see these freshmen additions being enough to outweigh the losses the Trojans suffered this offseason.
As talented as that young frontcourt tandem is, the losses of veterans Chevez Goodwin and Isaiah Mobley will loom large as Enfield looks for his third straight tournament appearance. The Trojans did not find anyone in the portal to join their roster either, so Iwuchukwu and Wright will be tasked with a healthy workload early and often.
It also cannot be understated how big of a loss glue guy and veteran guard Ethan Anderson could be. Anderson helped by being a counterbalance to transfer guard Boogie Ellis, a serviceable guard who does have moments of inconsistency. That secondary assurance is gone now.
The Trojans may remain near the conference’s top, but it will undoubtedly be a rockier journey. The steadiness of the last two groups had clear ceilings to their games but with a high floor. This squad appears to have a larger upside, though without the track record.