USC Trojans
Overall Rank: #39
Conference Rank: #7 Pac-12
Since Coach Mark Trakh took over the program for the second time in 2017, the Trojans have had three seasons of average play. They have finished 9-9, 7-11 and 8-10 in Pac-12 play. That is right on the cusp of a good season, but the Trojans have missed out on the postseason each of those seasons. This year though could be the one where USC breaks through and moves into the NCAA Tournament.
2019-20 Record: 17-14, 8-10
Coach: Mark Trakh
Coach Record: 37-24 at USC, 430-291 overall
Key Departed Players (starters in bold)
Aliyah Jeune, Guard, 9.6 ppg
Kayla Overbeck, Forward, 8.1 ppg
Key Returning Players (starters in bold)
Alissa Pili, Sophomore, Forward, 16.3 ppg
Endyia Rogers, Sophomore, Guard, 13.1 ppg
Angel Jackson, Sophomore, Center, 7.0 ppg
Desiree Caldwell, Junior, Guard, 6.0 ppg
Alyson Miura, Sophomore, Guard, 5.5 ppg
Kara White, Sophomore, Guard, 1.7 ppg
India Otto, Sophomore, Guard, 0.6 ppg
Shalexxus Aaron, Sophomore, Guard, dnp last season
Key New Players
Madison Campbell, RS Freshman, Guard
Jordyn Jenkins, Freshman, Forward
Amaya Oliver, Freshman, Guard/Forward
Jordan Sanders, Senior, Forward, Grad Transfer from UC Irvine
Zayla Tinner, Freshman, Guard
Projection:
The development of sophomores Alissa Pili and Endyia Rogers will go a long way in determining how far this group can go. Pili had an amazing freshman campaign, averaging 16.3 points and 8.0 rebounds. She hit 51.1 percent of her shots from the floor and will be nearly unstoppable with more consistency from beyond the arc. Rogers was the most prolific three-point shooter on the team last year and tallied 13.1 points and 2.9 assists. Angel Jackson and Alyson Miura also had productive freshmen campaigns and could make a big jump as sophomores. Shalexxus Aaron missed last year with an injury, but she was a very productive three-point shooter as a freshman in 2018-2019. No team in the Pac-12 made fewest three-pointers in the Pac-12 last year, but that should change as long as Aaron stays healthy. Desiree Caldwell is the lone returning upperclassmen on the roster. She may not score a lot, but the point guard will provide leadership and get her teammates involved. The frontcourt should get a nice boost with the addition of freshman Jordyn Jenkins and grad transfer Jordan Sanders. Two years ago while at UC Irvine, Sanders ranked in the top 25 in the nation with 20.3 points per game. Getting numbers like that at USC is not likely, but now the Trojans have some talented depth. This is still a very young team and better days are ahead of them, but do not be surprised to see USC pushing for an NCAA Tournament berth in 2021.
Projected Postseason Tournament: NCAA
By the Numbers:
Scoring Offense: 64.8 (180th in nation, 11th in conference)
Scoring Defense: 64.2 (167, 7)
Field-Goal Percentage: 40.8 (123, 7)
Field-Goal Defense: 37.6 (69, 4)
Three-Point Field Goals Per Game: 5.1 (246, 12)
Three-Point Field-Goal Percentage: 29.6 (245, 10)
Free-Throw Percentage: 78.6 (7, 1)
Rebound Margin: -1.8 (234, 11)
Assists Per Game: 12.5 (206, 12)
Turnovers Per Game: 14.5 (93, 6)
Madness 2020 Women’s Basketball Recruit Rankings:
#31 Jordyn Jenkins
