USC Basketball: Where Insider Places Trojans Among Preseason Top 25
Earlier this month, Jeff Borzello of ESPN took stock of where your USC Trojans ranked amidst an intimidating list of his projected top 25 teams ahead of the 2023-24 NCAA men's hoops season.
Though the new-look Trojans, led by anticipated top-10 2024 NBA lottery pick Isaiah Collier, didn't top the list, they came in at a solid No. 21.
What are the identities of the top two projected teams, you ask? The Kansas Jayhawks are listed at No. 1 and the Duke Blue Devils are pegged at No. 2.
"[Head coach] Andy Enfield will have one of the nation's premier backcourts next season in returning all-conference guard Boogie Ellis and elite incoming freshman Isaiah Collier, the No. 1 recruit in the 2023 class," writes Borzello. "Expect those two to handle most of the scoring responsibilities, while Kobe Johnson and Washington State transfer DJ Rodman will provide toughness and 3-point shooting. If Bronny James is able to play, USC's perimeter will be as deep and versatile as any in college basketball."
James of course suffered a cardiac arrest during a Galen Center morning workout on July 24th and had to be hospitalized at the Cedars Sinai ICU for two days. After the James family revealed that the 6'3" combo guard is dealing with a congenital heart defect and is expected to return to the team at some point this season, it appears he will indeed be able to shore up the club's backcourt depth.
Borzello expects Collier to start next to Ellis in the backcourt, with Collier running the point and Ellis at shooting guard. He expects Pac-12 All-Defensive Teamer Kobe Johnson to start at small forward, with new forward transfer DJ Rodman (son of Dennis and brother of Washington Spirit NWSL star forward Trinity) and center Joshua Morgan filling out Enfield's starting backcourt.
