USC hoops looking for a UCLA pick-me-up
January, 14, 2012
1/14/12
12:39
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By
Erik McKinney | ESPN.com
AP Photo/Jason RedmondGetting the ball in the basket has been a chore for Dewayne Dedmon and the rest of USC's basketball team, which is averaging a paltry 53.9 points per game this season.LOS ANGELES -- After losing five of their top seven scorers from last season’s team, the USC men’s basketball team was expected to struggle offensively. When team leader Jio Fontan went down with a knee injury during a preseason exhibition game in Brazil, thoughts shifted to whether the Trojans would be able to score at all.
USC coach Kevin O’Neill echoed those sentiments during Pac-12 media day, when his said his team would continue to play tough defense, but baskets would likely be scarce. O’Neill spoke at length about how the Trojans would lean heavily on point guard Maurice Jones and how they’d go only as far as the sophomore point guard could take them.
Through 17 games, it hasn’t been very far. Jones has played much of this season as if he has been forced to literally carry the team on his back. He has been asked to play point guard and be the team’s leading scorer -- a combination that doesn’t often lead to successful offense. He has also rarely been able to catch his breath, as he has played fewer than 35 minutes in just one game this season.
Agholor highlights huge FSU visit weekend 
January, 13, 2012
1/13/12
9:50
AM PT
By
Corey Long | ESPN.com
Florida State will entertain ESPNU 150 prospects Nelson Agholor, Ronald Darby and Leonard Williams this weekend.
Agholor (Tampa, Fla./Berkeley Prep), the nation's 41st-ranked prospect, has said that the Seminoles are part of his top group of schools with Notre Dame, Florida, USC and Oklahoma.
This is his fourth official visit, with the final one expected to be USC.
Agholor (Tampa, Fla./Berkeley Prep), the nation's 41st-ranked prospect, has said that the Seminoles are part of his top group of schools with Notre Dame, Florida, USC and Oklahoma.
This is his fourth official visit, with the final one expected to be USC.
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Top questions entering spring practice
January, 13, 2012
1/13/12
8:30
AM PT
By
Kyle Williams | ESPN.com
LOS ANGELES -- With off season workouts starting this week and with spring practices just a couple months away, let's take an early look at the biggest issues the Trojans will face during spring practice.
Defensive Tackle
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Offensive lineman Kyle Murphy (San Clemente, Calif.) was having a relaxing Thursday packing for his weekend visit to Stanford when his phone started to blow up with text messages asking if he had made his college choice.
Twitter was rampant with talk that Murphy had committed to his long time leader, the Stanford Cardinal Thursday afternoon. The talented lineman said he has an idea of how the rumor got started.
“It was crazy, my phone started going crazy, I must have gotten a 100 text messages,” Murphy said. “At first I thought it was a joke, but then people kept asking me if I had committed to Stanford. I think I know what happened. On my facebook page, I wrote, ‘officiallying to Stanford,’ but I meant I was taking my official visit to Stanford, not committing.
Twitter was rampant with talk that Murphy had committed to his long time leader, the Stanford Cardinal Thursday afternoon. The talented lineman said he has an idea of how the rumor got started.
“It was crazy, my phone started going crazy, I must have gotten a 100 text messages,” Murphy said. “At first I thought it was a joke, but then people kept asking me if I had committed to Stanford. I think I know what happened. On my facebook page, I wrote, ‘officiallying to Stanford,’ but I meant I was taking my official visit to Stanford, not committing.
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As long as he can remember, offensive lineman Isaac Seumalo (Corvallis, Ore.) has wanted to play for Oregon State. It was also a dream to be recruited by USC and the lineman will take an official visit to check out the Trojans this weekend.
Seumalo, a four star prospect and rated the No. 2 offensive guard in the nation, is the son of Beaver DL coach Joe Seumalo. As a result, the standout guard was considered an Oregon State lock for the last two years and several schools didn’t even attempt to recruit Seumalo thinking it would be a waste of time.
“I obviously had strong ties to Oregon State with my dad there,” Seumalo said. “It wasn’t just my dad though, Coach [Mike] Cavanaugh, the OL coach, is like family too. He basically taught me how to play football, how to play offensive line. I’m still a strong commitment to Oregon State, but I’m going to be taking an official visit to USC this weekend.
Seumalo, a four star prospect and rated the No. 2 offensive guard in the nation, is the son of Beaver DL coach Joe Seumalo. As a result, the standout guard was considered an Oregon State lock for the last two years and several schools didn’t even attempt to recruit Seumalo thinking it would be a waste of time.
“I obviously had strong ties to Oregon State with my dad there,” Seumalo said. “It wasn’t just my dad though, Coach [Mike] Cavanaugh, the OL coach, is like family too. He basically taught me how to play football, how to play offensive line. I’m still a strong commitment to Oregon State, but I’m going to be taking an official visit to USC this weekend.
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Clearly Notre Dame can't be pleased with Ronald Darby's new position.
Once a commitment to the Fighting Irish, the four-star athlete from Oxon Hill (Md.) Potomac decommitted from Notre Dame earlier this week, but that doesn't mean the divorce is final. For now, it's more like a separation.
“I'm still considering them,” Darby said of the Fighting Irish just before he participated in a school track meet on Thursday evening.
Once a commitment to the Fighting Irish, the four-star athlete from Oxon Hill (Md.) Potomac decommitted from Notre Dame earlier this week, but that doesn't mean the divorce is final. For now, it's more like a separation.
“I'm still considering them,” Darby said of the Fighting Irish just before he participated in a school track meet on Thursday evening.
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USC No. 18 in newest ESPN recruiting rankings
January, 12, 2012
1/12/12
11:57
AM PT
By
Erik McKinney | ESPN.com
The USC Trojans held steady at No. 18 in the newest ESPN team football recruiting rankings released Thursday. As expected, the biggest mover in the rankings was California, jumping into the top 10 at No. 8 and to the top of the Pac-12.
USC checks in as the No. 2 team in the Pac-12, just ahead of Stanford (No. 19) and Oregon (No. 21).
The Trojans have fewer verbal commitments than any team in the top 25, but could be poised to make a run up the rankings in the coming weeks, as they could be in the mix for some of the country's top recruits between now and signing day. While USC has a shot to catch California, especially with defensive tackle Ellis McCarthy (Monrovia, Calif./Monrovia) still a top target for both schools, Alabama may have separated itself from the pack in terms of the top spot.
USC checks in as the No. 2 team in the Pac-12, just ahead of Stanford (No. 19) and Oregon (No. 21).
The Trojans have fewer verbal commitments than any team in the top 25, but could be poised to make a run up the rankings in the coming weeks, as they could be in the mix for some of the country's top recruits between now and signing day. While USC has a shot to catch California, especially with defensive tackle Ellis McCarthy (Monrovia, Calif./Monrovia) still a top target for both schools, Alabama may have separated itself from the pack in terms of the top spot.
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John Albright/Icon SMIZach Banner's size and long-term potential have made him as the top recruit on the board for two of the three panelists.Garry Paskwietz
1. Zach Banner – There is just something about Banner that seems to fit with the Trojans. He’s a real athletic guy in a real big body, and he would make a huge bookend at tackle if he were to be paired with Aundrey Walker some day.
RecruitingNation airs at 3 p.m. ET today on ESPNU, and national analyst Craig Haubert and senior national analyst Tom Luginbill will discuss the new No. 1 team in the class rankings.
That team?
The Alabama Crimson Tide.
After landing five-star safety Landon Collins and four-star athlete Cyrus Jones at the Under Armour All-America Game last week, the Tide leaped ahead of Texas to become the nation’s No. 1 class.
Haubert and Luginbill will discuss other movers and shakers in the top 25 and reflect on recent commitments from players like Channing Ward, Barry Sanders Jr. and Jordan Jenkins. The analysts will also take a look at players whose stock increased after the recent national and regional all-star games.
RecruitingNation writers will contribute with a look at what's still on the board at Michigan and how USC is dealing with sanctions.
That team?
The Alabama Crimson Tide.
After landing five-star safety Landon Collins and four-star athlete Cyrus Jones at the Under Armour All-America Game last week, the Tide leaped ahead of Texas to become the nation’s No. 1 class.
Haubert and Luginbill will discuss other movers and shakers in the top 25 and reflect on recent commitments from players like Channing Ward, Barry Sanders Jr. and Jordan Jenkins. The analysts will also take a look at players whose stock increased after the recent national and regional all-star games.
RecruitingNation writers will contribute with a look at what's still on the board at Michigan and how USC is dealing with sanctions.
Brice Butler gone to San Diego St.
January, 11, 2012
1/11/12
6:06
PM PT
By
Garry Paskwietz | ESPN.com
It was the third departure this week for the USC Trojans as wide receiver Brice Butler announced that he would be transferring to San Diego State for his senior season.
The news was not unexpected -- Butler had been rumored for weeks to be looking around with the Aztecs and Kansas Jayhawks under consideration. Butler graduated from USC last month, which means he will be immediately eligible to play next year as a fifth-year senior.
The Trojans have been down this road with Butler. At this time last year Butler announced that he would be transferring, but he took the unusual step of staying enrolled as a student at USC for the spring semester. During that time, Butler became convinced that he wanted to stay, and he worked things out with coach Lane Kiffin to the point where he stayed and became a solid contributor in 2011 for the Trojans.
The news was not unexpected -- Butler had been rumored for weeks to be looking around with the Aztecs and Kansas Jayhawks under consideration. Butler graduated from USC last month, which means he will be immediately eligible to play next year as a fifth-year senior.
The Trojans have been down this road with Butler. At this time last year Butler announced that he would be transferring, but he took the unusual step of staying enrolled as a student at USC for the spring semester. During that time, Butler became convinced that he wanted to stay, and he worked things out with coach Lane Kiffin to the point where he stayed and became a solid contributor in 2011 for the Trojans.
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Shaw could be a strong addition for USC
January, 10, 2012
1/10/12
6:43
PM PT
By
Garry Paskwietz | ESPN.com
The Trojans picked up an unexpected addition on Tuesday when it was learned that former University of Florida safety Josh Shaw has decided to enroll at USC for the spring semester.
It had been reported last week that Shaw would be heading to UCLA, but he was unable to meet academic transfer requirements with the Bruins.
Shaw (6-foot-3, 200 pounds) played locally at Palmdale High School, and it was his former high school coach who confirmed that he would be transferring to USC.
It had been reported last week that Shaw would be heading to UCLA, but he was unable to meet academic transfer requirements with the Bruins.
Shaw (6-foot-3, 200 pounds) played locally at Palmdale High School, and it was his former high school coach who confirmed that he would be transferring to USC.
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With signing day less than a month away you would think top wide receiver Stefon Diggs (Olney, Md./Our Lady of Good Counsel) would be closing in on making his decision. Diggs, however, says he’s nowhere near ready to make a college choice.
“I don’t have a leader or top five or anything like that,” Diggs said Tuesday night. “I’m wide open, and I’m planning on waiting until after signing day to make my final decision.”
Diggs, ranked the No.10 player in the country by the ESPNU 150, will visit Auburn this weekend but said he’s not sure what his plans will be in the future.
“I don’t have a leader or top five or anything like that,” Diggs said Tuesday night. “I’m wide open, and I’m planning on waiting until after signing day to make my final decision.”
Diggs, ranked the No.10 player in the country by the ESPNU 150, will visit Auburn this weekend but said he’s not sure what his plans will be in the future.
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With just a few weeks to go before signing day, there is a lot going on and a lot of news coming out on some of the top prospects out west.
Arik Armstead (Elk Grove, Calif./Pleasant Grove) gave some thought to committing at the U.S Army All-American Bowl last weekend but decided to hold off. The buzz was if he did commit, Cal was the likely choice. A decision could still be around the corner and the family continues to mention Oregon and Notre Dame as having a real shot at this time as well.
Offensive lineman Zach Banner (Lakewood, Wash./Lakes) will visit USC but is still trying to figure out the date. His original plan was to visit this coming weekend (Jan. 13) and then commit the following Monday. Now Banner is saying he’ll likely visit (Jan. 20) and decide the following week. Oklahoma, Washington and USC are in his final three.
Arik Armstead (Elk Grove, Calif./Pleasant Grove) gave some thought to committing at the U.S Army All-American Bowl last weekend but decided to hold off. The buzz was if he did commit, Cal was the likely choice. A decision could still be around the corner and the family continues to mention Oregon and Notre Dame as having a real shot at this time as well.
Offensive lineman Zach Banner (Lakewood, Wash./Lakes) will visit USC but is still trying to figure out the date. His original plan was to visit this coming weekend (Jan. 13) and then commit the following Monday. Now Banner is saying he’ll likely visit (Jan. 20) and decide the following week. Oklahoma, Washington and USC are in his final three.
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ABOUT WE ARE SC
Garry Paskwietz
Garry Paskwietz is the publisher and founder of WeAreSC.com and has covered the Trojans since 1997. Send him an email at garry@wearesc.com.
Blair Angulo
Blair Angulo covers USC Trojans recruiting. He joined ESPNLA.com in 2010 and also interned at the Los Angeles Daily News. Email him at blair.angulo@gmail.com.
Johnny Curren
Johnny Curren covers USC Trojans football and recruiting. He joined WeAreSC in 2012 after spending the previous two years at ESPNHS, and the nine years before that at Fox Sports West covering high school sports in the Los Angeles market. Email him at johnnycurren@hotmail.com.