The USC women’s basketball team won a game by 55 points on Saturday against Cal Poly. Given that the margin was 55 points, 90-35, you might think the Trojans shot the ball well. Actually, they did not.
USC shot just under 45 percent from the field — not terrible, but certainly nothing special — and the Trojans were a bad 6 of 28 from 3-point range. Malia Samuels (3-5) and Rayah Marshall (1-1) shot the ball well from 3-point land, but all other USC players were a combined 2 of 22. Just imagine what will happen when this team shoots the ball with some degree of consistency from long range. USC was just 1 of 11 on threes in the season opener versus Ole Miss. USC is therefore 7 of 39 on triples for the season through two games, which is under 20 percent.
If there is a concern with this team — and we know it’s early in the season — it’s very clear. Perimeter shooting, if it doesn’t improve, will enable defenses to pack the paint and make it harder for every USC player to finish near the rim and get easy baskets or free throws. Lindsay Gottlieb can devise great sets, but if teams don’t respect USC’s shooting, opponents will protect the rim and force the Trojans to hit a lot of mid-range shots outside the paint.
To flip things around, however: If USC does begin to shoot well from 3-point land, opponents will be in an impossible position in their attempt to defend the Trojans. If USC can make threes at an efficient rate, JuJu Watkins and Kiki Iriafen will feast at the basket and score big.
Get into the gym and get that shooting stroke sorted out. USC has a clear priority after one week of play.
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