NCAA Basketball: 2023 Rady Children’s Invitational preview, predictions
USC
After starting the season with a statement victory over Kansas State in Las Vegas to open the season, Andy Enfield’s club was dealt a 70-60 home loss to UC Irvine the next week as both Boogie Ellis and Kobe Johnson were sidelined with injuries. The Trojans, who have struggled to stay healthy for the first couple weeks of the season, were able to get both Johnson and Ellis back in the startling lineup against Brown — but were missing DJ Rodman due to injuries while Bronny James continues to recover from a late-summer cardiac arrest episode.
Presumably back to full health minus the absence of James, the Trojans seem to be the favorite here thanks to their elite trio of Isaiah Collier, Kobe Johnson and Boogie Ellis. Although it’s hard to get a full picture of a fully healthy Trojans squad, this team has both the talent and the upside to remain favorites in the 2023 Rady Children’s Invitational.
Seton Hall
Another team entering the 2023 Rady Children’s Invitational undefeated, Shaheen Holloway’s club stands 4-0 with home wins over Saint Peter’s, Fairleigh Dickinson, Albany and Wagner, respectively. Although the Pirates — similar to Oklahoma — have yet to play tough competition, they have gotten some very strong play from Kadary Richmond, who has the potential to take a leap as an all-league caliber player for the Pirates. Here is what I said about Richmond in the preseason:
Excited to see what Kadary Richmond can bring to the table as the #2 or #1 scoring option for the Pirates.
— Cole Amundson (@playformarch) October 6, 2023
He excels at driving downhill and finishing at the rim. With great vision being a skilled passer for his size (6'6), this is the ultimate drive-and-kick type of player.
Aside from Richmond, the Pirates have gotten quality efforts from their veteran guards in Al-Amir Dawes and Dre Davis, both of whom are averaging double figures. Although Seton Hall has struggled to shoot from behind the arc in their first four games, the Pirates have excelled at getting points in the paint, connecting on their two-point jump shots, and getting offensive rebounds.
According to BartTorvik, Seton Hall ranks 15th in the nation in 2-point percentage (60.9%) and 23rd in offensive rebound percentage (38.3%). Although nothing about Seton Hall screams top-25 caliber at the given moment, these are the numbers that make the Pirates a very difficult matchup for the USC Trojans in their first game of the Rady Children’s Invitational.