Who's on the team in 21/22?

[Gary]

I don't believe Lawson will be back.   With that in mind, here are the players that I hope will be on the team next year.   

Frink, Bryant, McCreary, Leveque, Hannibal, Couisnard, Minott, Benson, Wright, Carter, Williams, Woodley.

If Frank is the coach next season, those guys could be on the team.   If Frank is not the coach, then I don't expect some of those guys will choose to play for USC.

If those guys are on the team, we will have a lot of depth in the post.  And some talent.  Frink, McCreary, Leveque, Minott, Benson and Woodley are all post guys.  Frank could choose to play 3 bigs at the same time in certain situations.  i think McCreary, Woodley, and possibly Benson might have the agility to guard opposing  SFs.     I like playing with size.

 

[markymark550]

Don't want to go with the full 13 scholarships? I'm of the opinion that we should carry a full roster, if only for additional practice/depth. I would probably bring back Minaya as well. His offense has not been good, but imo he's one of the better defenders on the team. Plus, maybe getting him back to the wing full time will help his offense.

 

[Gary]

So you have Lawson going pro and Moss, Minaya and Anderson leaving. Like MarkyMark says, that is only 12 scholarship players, so are you thinking that we leave a spot open for a grad transfer? 

Woods can come back and not count against the limit, so I think that Frank will give him the option.

Frink is rumored to be sitting out for reasons other than injury, so he has to work things out or he may not come back (which would explain why we picked up Minott and have so much post depth).

I do think that Woodley is a post though - he is solid but only about 6'6", even shorter than Frink. Frank used a bigger line-up against Ole Miss, so he may be leaning to using McCreary and Woodley as PFs, with Minott and Leveque at Center. If Frink is good to go, he will be the possible starter at either position. Williams - if he signs - is strong and athletic, and can play SF or PF. Lots more muscle inside than this year, and less leaner perimeter guys.

Based on playing time, the M & M boys - Moss and Minaya - still figure in Frank's plans, while Anderson and Benson would not.

And then you have the mystery of why Bryant and Cousinard sat out "due to coach's decision. Maybe they told Frank they are leaving, so he is getting the returnees the PT?

Should be a fun offseason - starting with what Ray does with Frank, if anything. 

Since Frank recruited 4 players, he must be expecting 4 openings.    I am assuming one of them will be Lawson.  Woods scholarship should be available.  That leaves two guys who must leave.   I don't know who they are, but Frank must know or he wouldn't have recruited replacements for them.  

I've seen Woodley listed at 6-7 and 6-8.   I don't know his actual height.  

I don't think Frank is going to run anyone off.   But I think he expects a couple of guys to leave.   Don't know who, but I assume they have told Frank they are leaving some time ago because he recruited the 4 players back in the fall.

Its no mystery why Couisnard and Bryant didn't play.  Frank said in his presser last night that they both have injuries and are feeling the pressures of this season, so he thought it best for them if they didn't play.    I was wrong last night to assume it was something else.    I would not be surprised if Bryant goes pro.  He can play overseas if he wants to.  So he might be one that has told Frank he plans to leave.   

 

[Gary]

Williams committed but did not sign. That could be due to academic questions - whether he will qualify or not. Or it could be that we do not know if there is a spot available.

But it is not a talent issue - he looks like to be 6' 6", strong and very athletic on film. He may be the best of the recruits and he has some nice offers.

Woodley is sturdy - not quite as thick as Frink, but not much body fat either - and moves well. But 6'7" appears generous. I would say Williams and Woodley are the same height, with Williams being more athletic.

MInaya has been here for four years, even though he has two more years of eligiblity. So Frank may encourage him to get a fresh start elsewhere as a grad transfer - love his overall game, but he is not a PF and his shooting woes have made him a liabiilty as a wing. With two more physical recruits coming in, It might be time for him to move on. Same with Trey Anderson, who is also undersized for a PF and who does not have Minaya's overall skills as a wing.

Frank likes Moss but he is just not an SEC PG, and he lacks the athleticism and shooting skills for a SG. 

I am surprised that Benson did not play more - he even fell behind Minott, who was not even on the team until second semester. Whether he just needs work or is not Frank's type of player remains to be seen.

Lots of questions.

I read that Williams wanted to wait and sign on his grandfathers birthday, or something like that.   A day that is special to the kid.   So we'll see about him.

I hope minaya is  ready to graduate, but I don't know.  I do know he is too small to play pf.   If he stays, he needs to move to sf.   Don't know why Benson didn't play more.  I also  don't know why Cooper never played.   Early in the season Frank said he would help  them.    Moss makes some good passes sometimes, but he's not a good dribbler.   He should be toward the end of the bench, if he stays.  Yes, there are lots of questions.   

 

[kingofnerf]

There is a logjam in the pipeline in and out of programs right now due to Covid.

We may lose people, but get ones who would ordinarily go to better programs.

Hard to say.

 

[Gary]

Don't want to go with the full 13 scholarships? I'm of the opinion that we should carry a full roster, if only for additional practice/depth. I would probably bring back Minaya as well. His offense has not been good, but imo he's one of the better defenders on the team. Plus, maybe getting him back to the wing full time will help his offense.

Frank likes having a lot of guys on his teams.  I would prefer leaving a scholarship open in case a good player becomes available late.   If not, you can always let a walk on be on scholarship for a year.   You have 13 scholarships normally.  But you can only find minutes for 9-10 guys.  So, the last 2-3 guys on your bench won't play much unless someone gets hurt or sick.   But that seems to happen a lot to USC.   

If this season does not count toward eligibility, then we could have 6 freshmen next season.     That's too many, but it can't be helped.   And, we won't have any seniors on scholarship as things stand now.   That isn't good either.

I hope it isn't weeks before we find our who is coaching next season.  I'm sure that will affect who is on the team.

 

[Gary]

I read that Frank is recruiting Marquette potential transfer Symir Torrence, who is a PG.  Apparently, we are heavily involved, although Shaka Smart is trying to get Torrence to stay at Marquette.   

Since we are recruiting a PG, what does that indicate about our current roster?  Well, it might indicate that either Couisnard or Hannibal aren't expected to return, but it does not have to mean that.  

I have been hard on Moss.  But I looked at the stats.  Moss was second only to Hannibal in FT percentage.  Third behind Lawson and  Hannibal in 3 Pt. percentage.   Had 43 assists to 31 turnovers.    So statistically, Moss is much better than I thought.  I'm going to stop criticizing him.

 

[Gary]

I read that Frank is recruiting Marquette potential transfer Symir Torrence, who is a PG.  Apparently, we are heavily involved, although Shaka Smart is trying to get Torrence to stay at Marquette.   

Since we are recruiting a PG, what does that indicate about our current roster?  Well, it might indicate that either Couisnard or Hannibal aren't expected to return, but it does not have to mean that.   It might indicate that Frank has realized, as most of us have,  that Moss is no PG and we need someone else who can play that position.  I hope Frank has realized that.    It might indicate some combination of the above.   I would love to add Torrence to our roster as I think he is a pretty good player, and we need more of those.

Trey Hannibal has announced he is transferring.   Which explains why Frank is recruiting a PG.

 

[doublea1971]

Trey Hannibal has announced he is transferring.   Which explains why Frank is recruiting a PG.

Man... I hate it that he's decided to transfer.  I hope he's already found a home, as there are a LOT of PGs in the portal this year.  Right now, I count one former 5 star (the portal lists them by their HS ratings), four former 4 stars (there were 6, but two landed), and seventeen former 3 stars (there are an additional 5 that have already landed).  Trae's face isn't listed yet, but he just made the announcement.

EDIT: And the numbers above are just for PG's - doesn't include SG or CG listings.

Wish him nothing but the best.  Whomever grabs him is getting a pit bull of a player.  Just love his grit.  If he gets more control over his ball handling and the way he charges at the basket, he'll be a REALLY good player somewhere.

 

[Gary]

Man... I hate it that he's decided to transfer.  I hope he's already found a home, as there are a LOT of PGs in the portal this year.  Right now, I count one former 5 star (the portal lists them by their HS ratings), four former 4 stars (there were 6, but two landed), and seventeen former 3 stars (there are an additional 5 that have already landed).  Trae's face isn't listed yet, but he just made the announcement.

EDIT: And the numbers above are just for PG's - doesn't include SG or CG listings.

Wish him nothing but the best.  Whomever grabs him is getting a pit bull of a player.  Just love his grit.  If he gets more control over his ball handling and the way he charges at the basket, he'll be a REALLY good player somewhere.

I hate to lose him too.      i think Trey improved a lot from freshman to soph..    I wish him the best.   And I hope Frank finds a good replacement for him.

I have changed my mind on Moss.  I looked at the stats and he didn't do that badly this season.   So, i'm going to hope he stays with the team.  But we need a transfer PG to give depth and competition at that position.

 

[markymark550]

Dang, I hate to lose Hannibal. I thought he was going to earn a lot more minutes next season. I wish him well, wherever he goes.

 

[Gary]

As of right now, Couisnard, Moss and Wright are the point guards for next season.   We'll see if anything changes.  I know we are still recruiting for the position.

I would urge all of the guards, and really everyone on the team, to work hard on their dribbling skills and FT shooting in the off season.  Having players who can handle the ball and make FT are requirements for having a good team.

 

[Gary]

McCreary is leaving the team.   I didn't expect this, but at the same time, i'm not surprised.   I knew there would be some departures.  There will likely be more.

Don't know  if he will, but Lawson should stay  another  year to mature and improve.    As of now, Woods, Hannibal and McCreary are gone.   I think Bryant will go through the NBA procedures and return.   

 

[kingofnerf]

When Frank throws up his has hands and stops coaching the team in a game, it's because they are not playing his system.

He did that a lot this season and we saw the results.

To be honest, this past season was one where the players should have rallied around Frank and played his system but didn't based on the W-L record.

People have different reasons for transferring, but I would suspect the departures are not necessarily a bad thing.

 

[Gary]

When Frank throws up his has hands and stops coaching the team in a game, it's because they are not playing his system.

He did that a lot this season and we saw the results.

To be honest, this past season was one where the players should have rallied around Frank and played his system but didn't based on the W-L record.

People have different reasons for transferring, but I would suspect the departures are not necessarily a bad thing.

I noticed that Frank was not as demonstrative on the sidelines this year as he normally is.   I think Covid's affect on him, and on the team was the main reason for that.  

The team will be fine without McCreary and Hannibal.   If you look, you will see that nearly every team is having players transfer this season.   Mostly non-starters.  So it isn't just USC.  I expect one or two more will leave.   Lawson could go pro.   Someone else will probably transfer.   Right now, we are at 14 scholarships for next season, so at least one more is going to have to come off.

By the way, I read that Carlous Williams was offered by Ole Miss, Miss.St., Houston and Baylor.   If that is true, then we got a good prospect in him.

 

[Gary]

WIth Moss leaving, there is now room for the 4 high school recruits to be on scholarship.   We are now at 13 guys.   Taking a transfer, or signing another recruit, would require someone else leaving.   We've all been expecting Lawson to go pro, and he still might do that.    I'm not counting Bryant as being gone because I believe he will be on the team next year.    This is all very interesting to those of us who love USC basketball.   We'll see who else, if anyone, leaves the team.   I hope we have seen the last of it.  I'd love it if Lawson came back for another year, but I'd be a bit surprised if that happens.

 

[kingofnerf]

I would consider Frank Booker a success story for us.  Too bad he only had one year in Frank's system.

He would have been solid with two or more, so there's hope.

 

[Gary]

We got a commitment today from Chico Carter, a 6-2 guard transferring from Murray St..  Columbia kid.   Recruited to play PG.   Between him, Wright, and Couisnard, who I think will be back, we should be in good shape at that position.   Welcome Chico!   

But, we are now at 14 players for next year.  That means if Chico will be on scholarship, someone will have to come off.   Right now, I don't know who that will be.   But I'm sure it will be worked out.

 

[Longhaul]

We got a commitment today from Chico Carter, a 6-2 guard transferring from Murray St..  Columbia kid.   Recruited to play PG.   Between him, Wright, and Couisnard, who I think will be back, we should be in good shape at that position.   Welcome Chico!   

But, we are now at 14 players for next year.  That means if Chico will be on scholarship, someone will have to come off.   Right now, I don't know who that will be.   But I'm sure it will be worked out.

Finally a player who can hit free throws.