USC’s 2023 men’s basketball team is in a difficult spot for one primary reason: The big man who was supposed to be the next great USC defensive star has been sidelined by health problems.
Andy Enfield has forged a successful tenure at USC by recruiting elite defensive big men and molding them into game-changing defenders who also rebound and score.
Onyeka Okongwu. Evan and Isaiah Mobley. USC has needed low-post anchors to form the backbone of Enfield’s recent teams.
Vince Iwuchukwu was supposed to be the next important and equation-shaping big man who made USC a top-tier defensive force.
USC’s defense has not been bad this season, but the Trojans would have a significantly better defense with Iwuchukwu on the floor. If Iwuchukwu had been able to play, USC would probably be allowing several fewer points per game.
That might have been the difference in close losses to Tennessee and Wisconsin, and it might have prevented the Florida Gulf Coast game from getting out of hand.
Imagine if Iwuchukwu had played: USC might be 10-1 instead of 8-3.
Iwuchukwu, of course, suffered from an instance of cardiac arrest, which reportedly occurred in July. He has not been medically cleared to play, and it’s unlikely he will receive medical clearance this season.
Given that hole on the roster, USC could sure use a big man in the transfer portal.
Guess what? A very attractive prospect is now on the open market:
BREAKING: Texas Tech's Fardaws Aimaq is expected to transfer, source told @stadium.
Aimaq transferred this past year from Utah Valley, where he averaged 18.9 ppg 13.6 rpg per game.
Has yet to play this season while recovering from a broken foot. Hard cast was removed Monday.
— Jeff Goodman (@GoodmanHoops) December 14, 2022
Fardaws Aimaq would be a godsend for Enfield and USC. Can the Trojans pounce? It could save their season. Let’s see what happens.
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