**USC vs. St. John's GAME Thread**

[HeadCockFan]

The two biggest issues for this team are perimeter defense and size disadvantages all over the court. I like what I'm seeing from Kacinas. If he can start playing the game faster, he has a good mind for it. We need a PG to go with Sindy and a defensive center.

[I Bleed Garnet]

One big recruit can change anything.

turn around in basketball is a lot quicker than football.

Will be a bumpy road and tough year this year, but if Frank is anything close to what he was in K State, and in a much easier conference, we will be just find in years to come.

[Travelin]

We need a PG who can dish out assists.

[Roosterboy]

We knew St. Johns would be tough.
It was clear their guys were just better than ours.
Faster, more athletic, and a longer team.

But, the guys fought hard, but we just don't have a constant post-man.
Maybe LaChat can be that, or maybe it is Desmond Ringer next year.

It is going to take a while to build post depth, but I know Martin will get his guys.

[USCBatgirl21]

Originally Posted by sc455

we are terrible. we need to be in the southern he conference and then we might compete. bruce needs to just play football. he just isnt that good at bb.

frank is light years away. light years. he needs two more recruiting cycles to ckean this mess.

We are 5-2.
At this point last year we were 3-4.
We've scored 80+ in 3 games so far this season. That's 3 more than the ENTIRE last season.

Let's keep our heads about us, ok?

[Travelin]

Originally Posted by HeadCockFan

The two biggest issues for this team are perimeter defense and size disadvantages all over the court. I like what I'm seeing from Kacinas. If he can start playing the game faster, he has a good mind for it. We need a PG to go with Sindy and a defensive center.

You nailed it. Perimeter defense...

We seem to make the average 3 pt shooting teams look like the Harlem Globetrotters.

[usc1]

Martin will turn things around. Don't bother getting your hopes up this year, we're pretty far behind most teams in the country in terms of talent and size. We'll get there. Just be patient.

[donbgamecock]

Originally Posted by usc1

Martin will turn things around. Don't bother getting your hopes up this year, we're pretty far behind most teams in the country in terms of talent and size. We'll get there. Just be patient.

I'm not. Lets just shoot for the NCAA tourney this year and a sweet 16 next year.

[CoverTwo]

Thornwell, Ringer, and Stroman are a good start for the future but USC is going to have to get guys like PJ Dozier, LJ Peak, Seventh Woods, etc to come to USC before this team sees a NCAA tournament. There was a big talent gap last night. Bigger than I thought it would be. Martin and his staff really need to keep hammering the AAU circuit and get us these kids.

[Rebel4ever]

Originally Posted by thumpin big

Why are some fans so intent on USC athletes playing pro sports?

Huh? I just meant Bruce has a better shot at the NFL than NBA. Why would we want our players to play pro sports? They would give money back to the program, hopefully, and build a tradition of sending players to pro sports which helps recruiting. Not that you referred to this but I didn't mention anything about Bruce leaving early either. Not sure what you meant by your post.

[SouthCGC]

It was hard to watch.

It appeared we played tougher in the second half.

It seemed we could half benefited more from set-plays. Didn't really see anything in that area; although it was hard to watch so maybe I missed it.

I'm surprised Bruce played 29 minutes, 3-10 shooting...How does he know the offense and plays? unless there isn't one and none. Our guys don't seem to understand how to attack a defense, and take good shots.. Frank Martin needs to establish players roles..

I would have thought Bruce would try to pass more and shoot less being that it's his first game back.. try to ease in it and win the trust of his teammates.

[thumpin big]

Originally Posted by bravecock524

Because we like to see them succeed in life and being able to play at the next level would mean that and it helps with recruiting which makes the current teams better.
A better question is, why wouldn't you?

Very few college players go on to a professional career in the sport they played in college. You don't have to play pro sports to be successful in life.

It helps with recruiting? Well, in this day, when money is the most important thing in life to far too many people, you could be right about that. But to me, there is something very very wrong about the idea of playing college ball for the sole purpose of having a pro career in the sport you play. My solution would be for the NBA, and the NFL to do what pro baseball does: draft players out of high school and fund their own minor leagues rather than have the colleges do it for them.

I want athletes at USC to be good players at USC. What they do after college is of far less interest to me. I don't view USC as a minor league team for the NFL or the NBA. But, it's fine with me if some of our players go on to play pro ball. If they are good enough, and want to do it, go for it.