Kansas vs. USC Preview and Prediction
The Kansas Jayhawks will face the USC Trojans in the second round of the NCAA Tournament on Monday in Indiana. Here is a preview of the game.
No. 3 Kansas (21-8) vs. No. 6 USC (23-7), 8:40 p.m. CT, Monday, TV: CBS
Region: West
Location: Hinkle Fieldhouse, Indianapolis, Indiana
National rankings: Kansas: No. 12 (AP), No. 11 (USA Today); USC: No. 23 (AP), No. 23 (USA Today).
Path to March Madness: Kansas: At-large berth (dropped out of the Big 12 Tournament before the semifinals due to a positive COVID-19 test); USC: At-large berth (lost in Pac 12 Tournament semifinals).
2021 NCAA Tournament Results: Kansas: def. Eastern Washington, 93-84; USC: def. Drake, 72-56.
NCAA Tournament history: Kansas and USC met in the 1940 Final Four, with Kansas winning, 43-42.
Winner faces: Iowa or Oregon in the Sweet 16 of the NCAA Tournament next weekend.
READ MORE: 2021 NCAA Tournament: Schedule, Printable Bracket, Dates and Times
READ MORE: Despite Rich Basketball History, Oklahoma State in Unprecedented Territory for Young Fans
Projected starting lineups
Kansas: G Ochai Agbaji, G Christian Braun, G Marcus Garrett, G Bryce Williams, F David McCormack.
USC: F Evan Mobley, F Isaiah Mobley, G Drew Pearson, G Isaiah White, G Tajh Eaddy.
Player to watch
Kansas: David McCormack. Welcome back, David. The Big 12’s Most Improved Player of the Year missed the Big 12 Tournament and just barely got eligible from COVID-19 protocols before KU’s NCAA Tournament opening game with Eastern Washington. As expected, McCormack started slow, scoring just two points. But, in a close game with EWU, Kansas head coach Bill Self had little choice but to give McCormack more minutes, and he delivered. McCormack finished with 22 points, nine rebounds, two assists, two steals and one blocked shot. Not bad when you consider that Self said after the game that, after McCormack’s tepid start, that he was just hoping to get five fouls out of him. Now, it’s plenty of rest and fluids for McCormack as the Jayhawks get ready for USC. Kansas will need him, as he’s the Jayhawks’ only legitimate threat on the block.
USC: Evan Mobley. Mobley is the Pac 12’s version of Oklahoma State’s Cade Cunningham — an incredible freshman star who is likely on his way to the NBA after the season ends. Of course, Mobley has four inches on Cunningham — he’s a 7-footer — and that could mean problems for Kansas on Monday. Mobley is coming off a 17-point, 11-rebound effort against Drake. That follows up a pair of 26-point efforts in the Pac 12 Tournament, before the Trojans bowed out in the semifinals against Colorado. He shoots nearly 60 percent from the floor, and averages 16.8 points and 8.6 rebounds per game. He’s capable of dominating a game, but he’s also capable of setting up his teammates, as his 63 assists entering the NCAA Tournament — tied for third on the team — would suggest. Enjoy him while he’s here. He’ll be in the NBA soon.
Right now in the NCAA Tournament
Kansas: Self had plenty of praise for freshman Dajuan Harris, who had a career-high 13 points coming off the bench for Kansas in the win over EWU. Self said Harris was “probably our best player, from start to finish” and that he helped “steady” Kansas. The big issue with Kansas this season has been depth. Since Kansas returned to the AP Top 25 in February, their five starter — McCormack, Ochai Agbaji, Marcus Garrett, Christian Braun, and Jalen Wilson — have all played well. But Kansas hasn’t gotten much from the bench. So a surge from Harris is welcome, especially since it’s not clear if Wilson will be able play on Monday due to COVID-19 protocols. The Jayhawks could have Tristan Enaruna back, too. Agbaji (21 points) and Garrett (22 points) had the kind of games they’re going to have to have as long as the Jayhawks are in the NCAA Tournament. Getting a healthy Wilson, and pairing him with a blossoming Harris, would allow the Jayhawks to stick around a little longer.
USC: The Trojans outscored the Drake Bulldogs, 32-19, in the second half to pull away for the win, and head coach Andy Enfield had to like the 50 percent shooting from the floor. But, the Trojans didn’t force a lot of turnovers and they were actually outrebounded by one (Mobley’s double-double notwithstanding). Isaiah Mobley ended up with 15 points and five rebounds, while Drew Pearson had 12 points and two assists. Tajh Eaddy set everyone up all game with a game-high 10 assists. Against Drake, the Trojans switched man and zone to try and slow down Drake’s offense and it worked in the second half. Enfield pointed out after the Drake win that the Trojans had 45 wins in the last two years, third only to Baylor and Kansas, the latter being his opponent on Monday. He already knew the Jayhawks were coming on Monday. The Trojans are 12-4 in their last 16 games.
Who wins?
Enfield was already playing the ‘we’re not taking Kansas lightly just because they’re short-handed’ game after the Trojans’ win. “I don’t see that as an edge at all,” Enfield said. “I think they had most of their team today. Maybe one player was out. But they’re just exceptional. They have so much talent. They’re so experienced. They have veterans at different positions.” Kansas could be at full strength on Monday if Jalen Wilson returns. USC presents match-up challenges, specifically Evan Mobley inside. The Big 12 didn’t have many legitimate 7-footers for David McCormack to deal with. The good news is that this game will be McCormack’s second since bouncing back into the lineup, so he should have his rhythm back. But what about stamina? He’ll have to play much more than he did against EWU. If McCormack and Mobley offset each other, then it comes down to the perimeter play. I’ll give the slight edge to Kansas in this one, beating USC to get to the Sweet 16.
You can find Matthew Postins on Twitter @PostinsPostcard
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