Tag: USC

Busy day for Eric Musselman at USC includes Isaiah Collier visit

Eric Musselman spoke to the press, introduced himself as USC coach, and met Isaiah Collier, among other things.

The Eric Musselman era began in an official way at USC on Friday. Musselman was introduced to the media and offered his first remarks to the USC community in Los Angeles. He also did a lot of work behind the scenes, meeting Isaiah Collier before the point guard has made his NBA draft decision. Virtually everyone in the basketball world thinks Collier is gone to the pros as a “one and done” player, and we’re not going to pretend otherwise. However, it’s true that Collier did not get the most from his one season under Andy Enfield. The idea of sticking around one year at USC to play for Musselman and get exposed to not only a different style of play, but also a coach with NBA experience, is not crazy. It’s very unlikely, yes, but it’s not ludicrous.

At any rate, the more important part of all this is that Musselman has to forge relationships, sell Los Angeles and USC as attractive places to play, and make gains relative to what Mick Cronin is doing at UCLA. Cronin has pulled in Kobe Johnson from USC and Skyy Clark from Louisville. Musselman has a lot of work to do in shaping USC’s next roster. Let’s see what the new coach can do.

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Lisa Leslie discusses her bond with Kobe Bryant, JuJu Watkins’ ceiling

Lisa Leslie talked about JuJu Watkins and a lot more with Draymond Green.

Former USC Trojan legend Lisa Leslie watched JuJu Watkins and USC make the Elite Eight for the first time since 1994, when Leslie starred for the Women of Troy. Leslie recently joined ‘The Draymond Green Show’ to discuss a number of topics. Among them: how defense is like a relationship, growing up in Compton (California), how to grow the WNBA, and talking shop with Los Angeles Lakers legend Kobe Bryant.

Leslie also reflected on the Los Angeles Sparks not wanting her to talk to the team in a specific situation; JuJu Watkins’ incredible freshman season at USC; being a star in Los Angeles at the same time as Shaq and Kobe; and Caitlin Clark of Iowa. There’s plenty to consider in this show, a timely listen as the women’s college basketball season comes to an end with Clark and Iowa facing unbeaten South Carolina for the national title on Sunday. Follow Hawkeyes Wire for more coverage of that game.

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Paige Bueckers, UConn lose to Iowa after beating JuJu Watkins and USC

Paige Bueckers beat JuJu but couldn’t solve Iowa in a memorable week for women’s basketball.

Paige Bueckers and UConn were too much for JuJu Watkins and USC in the Elite Eight. However, the Huskies’ run ended in the Final Four national semifinals against Caitlin Clark and the Iowa Hawkeyes.

Hawkeyes Wire offered a reaction to Iowa’s epic comeback victory over Bueckers and UConn:

“The Iowa Hawkeyes aren’t done dancing. Down double figures in the first half, Iowa (34-4, 15-3 Big Ten) came charging back to down UConn (33-6, 18-0 Big East) in a Final Four thriller, 71-69.

“Led by a strong second half from senior star Caitlin Clark and a standout performance from sophomore forward Hannah Stuelke, Iowa is back in the national championship game. The Hawkeyes will face South Carolina (37-0, 16-0 SEC) on Sunday afternoon.”

It was fascinating to see Bueckers play JuJu Watkins and Caitlin Clark in the same week, a feast for college basketball fans. USC has a lot to study and evaluate so that it can take the next steps in its evolution next season.

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Arkansas portal exits raise hopes for USC under Eric Musselman

The Arkansas portal exodus has begun. How many players will ride the Muss Bus to USC?

Arkansas basketball players are entering the transfer portal. This raises the possibility that Eric Musselman could bring a number of players with him from Fayetteville to Los Angeles. Former McDonald’s All-American and Arkansas freshman center Baye Fall is one such potential target. Fall has entered the transfer portal. He announced his decision via X on Thursday.

Fall has not done much in his career to this point, but he has three years of eligibility left. The former Razorback big man averaged 0.8 points, 1.3 rebounds and had 6 blocks in his limited action this past season.

The freshman from Dakar, Senegal, was a four-star prospect coming out of high school. He chose Arkansas over Auburn, Rutgers, Missouri and Oregon State, Baylor, and several other power five conference programs.

Fall is the seventh Razorback to enter the portal, joining Joseph Pinion, Denijay Harris, Keyon Menifield, Layden Blocker, Khalif Battle, and Davonte “Devo” Davis, with Eric Musselman moving on to USC this week.

Fall has tons of upside. The Trojans could use size up front, too. Look out for USC to possibly be a major player in the recruitment of Fall and some of the other Arkansas players who have entered the portal. Be sure to follow Razorbacks Wire for more on Arkansas player movements in the transfer portal.

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USC S Calen Bullock shares photo of visit with Dolphins

USC strong safety Calen Bullock toured the Dolphins’ facility Thursday.

USC Trojans safety Calen Bullock had a pre-draft visit with the Miami Dolphins, he shared on social media Thursday.

On his Instagram story, Bullock posted a photo from inside the Baptist Health Training Complex, the Dolphins’ practice facility located across the street from Hard Rock Stadium.

Bullock earned First Team All-Pac-12 honors in 2023 after recording two interceptions, seven pass breakups, and 63 tackles. The safety, who will turn 21 later this month, opted to forgo his senior season with the Trojans and enter the 2024 NFL draft.

At the 2024 NFL Scouting Combine, Bullock measured in at 6’2, 188 pounds and ran a 4.48 40-yard dash.

According to Lance Zierlein of NFL.com, Bullock may better project as a cornerback in the professional ranks after showing a tendency to take poor angles and miss run fits at USC. “Bullock can be scary good in coverage and scary bad as a run defender,” Zierlein wrote.

The Dolphins have a rising star at free safety in Jevon Holland, but a stopgap solution at strong safety in 33-year-old free agent acquisition Jordan Poyer. Miami could use a developmental talent at safety, and could also use depth at cornerback.

In a recent seven-round mock draft posted by ESPN, Bullock was projected to land in the second round.

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Lincoln Riley has much more than a linebacker coach in Matt Entz

Matt Entz told reporters, “I’ve really enjoyed my first three months here” at USC.

Matt Entz won two national championships as the head coach for the North Dakota State Bison football team. Entz has made it no secret that he desires a head coaching position in the FBS or NFL, and chose to take a position coach spot at USC under Lincoln Riley to get there.

“It has been a good thing for me,” Entz replied when he was asked about the move to assistant head coach for defense and linebackers coach by Marc Kulkin after practice on Thursday. “I know you know, when you’re a head coach you’re worried about everybody. Now I get to worry about a room and and a little bit the defense overall. I kind of smile at times when coach has those moments or has those issues — like that’s on you, now you know — but now he’s allowed me to interject and to ask questions. He’s come and asked me, so (it) probably allows me to still at times put that head coaching hat on or how we have done things differently, or if I have any thoughts on how we can adjust practice, but it’s been good. I’ve really enjoyed my first three months here.”

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Is USC NFL U?

USC’s NFL track record is, over a longer period of time, a gold standard.

The University of Southern California has consistently supplied a remarkable number of talented players to the NFL. The Trojans’ success makes it difficult to find a school that can match their achievements. USC has provided a steady stream of talent across all positions, excluding special teams.

USC holds the record for the most quarterbacks drafted in NFL history, with 19, surpassing Stanford (18) and Ohio State (17). Memorable USC quarterbacks with long NFL careers include Carson Palmer, Rodney Peete, Matt Cassel, and Vince Evans. Notably, from 1998 to 2017, every USC quarterback who started the majority of games in a season was drafted.  Despite playing over a decade in the NFL with multiple teams, Cassel never had a significant starting role at USC. He sat behind the first-round draft pick and Heisman Trophy winner Matt Leinart.

The Trojan running back position also stands out. USC has five Heisman Trophy winners at the position, including two NFL Hall of Fame members and countless Super Bowl champions. USC leads all schools with 39 running backs drafted, followed closely by Nebraska and Oklahoma with 38, and Alabama in fourth with 36.

At the wide receiver position, USC ties Ohio State for the most receivers drafted with 45, trailed by the University of Florida with 43 and the University of Miami with 41. USC continues to excel in other skill positions and lines, placing no worse than fourth for tight ends and second all time in draft picks for offensive linemen, linebackers, and defensive backs.

USC’s exceptional consistency in producing NFL talent sets it apart from other schools. USC has become synonymous with NFL talent. With the university’s renewed focus on recruiting and recent changes to its NIL policies, it seems unlikely that USC will relinquish its status as a top producer of NFL players anytime soon.

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Eric Henderson explains quick success in USC recruiting

Caring about people is the heart of Eric Henderson’s approach at USC.

New USC defensive line coach Eric Henderson spoke to the media recently about why he had such a huge and instant impact on recruiting. He explained his process and how the opportunity at USC is a unique one.

“When you really care about people, people can feel that and you really want what’s best for the young man and his family. I think that always wins in my mind,” Henderson said.

“The developmental process is going to be the best that it can. Any defensive linemen that come here can get (that development) in terms of your preparation for the next level. If that’s really what you want and you really have someone that truly cares about you, then there’s not a better school than USC.”

While Henderson shared that it was not planned, having newly-retired shoo-in Hall of Fame defensive tackle Aaron Donald at USC practice does send the message about development. Donald gave Henderson a ringing endorsement, saying that as long as Henderson is coaching they will be successful and have guys flying around and getting developed.

USC can’t rest on its laurels.

Henderson explained, “At the end of the day we need to continue to recruit and continue to win with the relationships, the genuine approach that we have and that we like. Obviously there was a type of environment around here and at the end of the day, SC sells itself.  You don’t have to do anything out of the ordinary.

“You can’t ever get comfortable,” he continued. “It’s always going to be about building those relationships. It’s always going to be about being willing to withstand the test of time in terms of going the distance if you will, and so at the end of the day I look forward to it. I mean it’s who we are. It’s fun. “

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Notre Dame’s Hannah Hidalgo named Wooden Award finalist

She had an incredible season, no?

[autotag]Hannah Hidalgo[/autotag] racked up one record and honor after another during her freshman season at Notre Dame. Now, she’s going about as far as she can go as far as awards in women’s basketball. She has been announced as one of five finalists for the Wooden Award, which is given to the best player in the country.

Even though the winner will be announced Monday, merely being a finalist means Hidalgo will be invited to the ceremony April 12 in Los Angeles regardless if she wins the award or not. She also is one of 10 Wooden Award All-Americans.

In 35 games this season, Hidalgo became one of the country’s top scorers with 33.9 points a game. She also led the country in steals at 4.6 a game, and she averaged 5.5 assists a game. All that and more made her a First Team All-American and First Team All-ACC selection as well as the top rookie and defensive player in the ACC.

Hidalgo faces some incredibly stiff competition for this award. Iowa’s Caitlin Clark is the clear favorite to win it for the second straight year, but Hidalgo also is up against 2021 winner Paige Bueckers of UConn, fellow freshman phenom JuJu Watkins of USC and Stanford’s Cameron Brink. Still, the fact that she can be in the conversation with these players is a good indicator that she’ll keep the South Bend faithful coming to Purcell Pavilion for the next few years.

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Follow Geoffrey on Twitter: @gfclark89

UPDATE: Bronny James still undecided on future despite a recent report

UPDATE: Bronny James still undecided on future despite a recent report

USC freshman Bronny James is still undecided on his future, despite a recent report that he was entering the transfer portal.

Bronny is the son of NBA legend LeBron James. He was a five-star recruit in the class of 2023, ranked as the No. 22 player in the class, No. 5 combo-guard and No. 4 recruit from the state of California.

Related: Tracking Wisconsin basketball’s reported transfer portal visits and targets

The highly-touted recruit played only 19.3 minutes per game for the Trojans in 2023-24. He averaged 4.8 points, 2.8 rebounds, 2.1 assists and 0.8 steals in that time, plus clips of 36% shooting and 26% from three.

James and the rest of the USC roster is in a bit of flux after head coach Andy Enfield left for the head coach job at SMU. Enfield departed after a disappointing 15-18 (8-12 Pac 12) 2023-24 season — USC’s first time missing the NCAA Tournament since 2019.

The Trojans are still in the process of finding a new coach.

There isn’t a real Wisconsin connection here, aside from USC joining the Big Ten for the 2024-25 basketball season. This is a story worth monitoring as the Trojans and Badgers become conference mates.

For more on Wisconsin’s roster and transfer portal activity, check out Badgers Wire’s ongoing 2024 transfer portal tracker.

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