USC used a terrific second half en route to a relatively easy victory over Boston College in Round 1 of the Big Dance. The task gets much tougher today, as the Trojans face the Big 10 Champion Michigan State Spartans. USC will need to play a nearly perfect game to beat the highly talented, athletic, and pationate team coached by Tom Izzo.
USC will need contributions from all of its starters today. The strategy offensively should be the same as it was in the first game: get the ball to Taj Gibson. The junior was phenomenal for the Trojans against BC and USC must take advantage of his athletic ability against Spartans center Goran Soutan. Soutan is very big and strong, but isn't as quick as Gibson. Look for Taj to use a little bit more of his face up game against the Spartans center. His outside jump shot also has to be on today because it won't be quite as easy for him to muscle his way inside. Dwight Lewis needs to play just like he did in the first round. He started out very hot from the perimeter against BC. The Trojans really need Lewis to hit outside jumpshots if they want a victory today. As usual, if Lewis plays well the Trojans should win. DeMar DeRozan had 18 against BC and the Trojans need that and more from him today. I don't think Michigan State has anyone who can stop the talented freshman from Compton, so look for DeMar to be very assertive. Daniel Hackett needs to provide a little more offensively than he did in Round 1. The Trojans need him to shoot well from outside and penetrate against a tough Spartans defense.
On the defensive end, Raymar Morgan could be a matchup problem for the Trojans. Coach Tim Floyd could use either DeMar DeRozan or Leonard Washington against Morgan, but both are at a slight disadvantage. DeRozan isn't as big or strong as Morgan and Washington isn't as quick. It will be an interesting decision who Coach Floyd decides to put on the talented Spartans forward. Marcus Simmons and Daniel Hackett should both see time on talented point guard Kalin Lucas. It will be critical for them to keep Lucas in front of them and not allow him to penetrate easily inside. Floyd could start Simmons today as he has been lately, but he could also start Leonard Washington against this bigger Michigan State lineup.
The Trojans are as hot as any team in the country right now. They have the talent to pull off the upset today. They just need to stay focused and play their game. They must come out with an extraordinary amount of energy and play the way they've been playing for the last six games. Let's keep this run going to the Sweet 16. Let's play! Fight On!
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