USC vs. Arizona: It’s the Trojans’ first particularly big game of the 2022 season, a key benchmark for Andy Enfield’s team. Where do the men of Troy stand in the wider Pac-12 environment? Are they in the same league as the Wildcats, or is Arizona several notches above the Trojans?
We’ll get a first impression on Saturday in Tucson. Keep in mind that USC and Arizona were scheduled to play on Jan. 2, but the game was postponed by COVID-19. No catch-up date has been assigned yet.
Arizona SB Nation blog site AZ Desert Swarm reached out and asked us about USC.
Here’s a specific question and answer exchange from the larger piece:
USC is bringing back a large chunk of the team that got promoted to the Elite Eight last season, minus the apparent absence of Evan Mobley. How has this group developed positively and negatively compared to a year ago?
Trojan Wire: “The positive comparison is that USC plays quality defense over longer stretches. Last season’s team was great at playing defense in the late game. This season’s team, at least starting 13-0 and in the Pac-12 games against Colorado and Arizona State, was better at maintaining defensive intensity and focus through 40 minutes (or closer). This season’s team needed to be connected on defense to be successful, and for the most part it was. This team’s three losses all came in games that didn’t show that defensive bond and consistency.
“The negative comparison to last season’s team is that while everyone obviously looks to Evan Mobley as the obvious missing piece – of course he’s the biggest loss of 2021 – Tahj Eaddy is overlooked. Eaddy hit the big perimeter shot to not only give USC timely buckets, but clear the ground for everyone else. USC lacks a knockdown shooter that can keep opposing defenses honest. Eaddy is no greater loss than Evan Mobley, but he is a greater loss than many people realize.”
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