When Andy Enfield took his successful run at Florida Gulf Coast out west to coach the USC Trojans, more was expected initially. His first two seasons at USC produced just six Pac-12 wins. But Enfield was busy upgrading the talent, and that "more" has arrived this season. After going from 18 games below .500 in the first two years to a postseason trip in his third year, can Enfield and the Trojans accelerate the process even more with some wins in March?
ESPN Insider has your answers, as Joe Lunardi has enlisted a team of Bracketologists to compile advanced metrics, key scouting intel and best- and worst-case tournament scenarios for all 68 teams to help you make smart picks in your bracket.
TOURNEY PROFILE
Best wins: Wichita State, Arizona, Colorado, Oregon State
Worst losses: at Washington, at Arizona State, at Stanford
Regular-season conference finish: Tied for 6th, Pac-12
Polls and metrics: The Trojans made two brief appearances in the AP poll, which was better than the 53 from KenPom and the 44 BPI rating.
All-time tourney record: 12-18, two Final Fours
Coach's tourney record: Andy Enfield (2-1)
Bracketology chart | BPI information
PERSONNEL
(Note: Player statistics are through games of March 6.)
STARTING LINEUP
F Nikola Jovanovic (12.3 PPG, 7.0 RPG)
F Bennie Boatwright (11.7 PPG, 5.4 RPG)
G Elijah Stewart (10.0 PPG, 3.7 RPG)
G Julian Jacobs (11.6 PPG, 5.5 APG)
G Jordan McLaughlin (13.0 PPG, 4.8 APG)
Key bench players
F Katin Reinhardt (11.4 PPG, 2.8 RPG)
F Chimezie Metu (6.7 PPG, 3.7 RPG)
G Darion Clark (2.7 PPG, 4.5 RPG)
Biggest strength: In a league that likes to get up and down the floor, USC was the Pac-12's best at it. McLaughlin got better as a scorer and a distributor in the revved-up attack. Coach Enfield has five legitimate 3-point threats who can also put the ball on the floor and get to the basket. Jovanovic gives the USC guards a place to throw the ball in the half court to balance the attack. Their 80.8 points per game put the Trojans 20th in the country.
Biggest weakness: Given how accurate they are, it seems strange that the Trojans don't take more 3s. USC ranks 242nd in the country in 3-point attempt percentage. It is actually not the preferred method of scoring for USC. The 3-pointer is a secondary weapon.
Best player: McLaughlin. Stewart is the best natural shooter and Jacobs can be the most dynamic, but McLaughlin makes it all go from the point. The 6-foot-1 sophomore plays the most minutes and is the most accurate in this collection of 3-point shooters. He and Jacobs combine for 24.6 points and 10.3 assists per game.
X factor: Reinhardt. Coming off the bench, the UNLV transfer can provide that extra jolt of energy. He is also not a bashful shooter and is a willing running partner to McLaughlin and Jacobs. With Reinhardt in the lineup, USC can spread the floor even more, opening those driving lanes for the other two.
SCOUTING REPORT
Offensive approach: Not surprisingly, USC wants to get into transition, but even without a fast break the Trojans have developed an attacking mentality. Get to the rim. Get a rhythm 3-pointer. USC isn't waiting around for something to happen, but rather trying to make it happen.
Defensive approach: For such a flashy offensive team, defense has taken on a more conservative approach. It almost feels like the Trojans just want the shot clock to run out so they can get the ball back. In reality, USC defends the 3-point line well and does not get dominated at the rim.
How they beat you: Outrun, outshoot, and in some cases out-fun you. When they are getting up and down the floor, McLaughlin and Jacobs, in particular, play with a joy that is contagious. But, USC needs to make shots to beat anyone.
How you beat them: USC had trouble with the bigger, longer, defensive-minded teams in the Pac-12 like Utah and California. Those teams also have veteran guards that can control the game. Teams that make sure they are taking care of the rebounding department and have defensive-minded guards will be able to control USC's guards.
WHAT THE NUMBERS SAY
(Note: All statistics in this section are courtesy of kenpom.com and are accurate through games of March 6.)
NATIONAL RANKS
Offensive efficiency, 45th (111.7)
Defensive efficiency, 94th (99.8)
3-point percentage, 33rd (38.2)
3-point percentage D, 46th (31.9)
Free throw rate, 198th (35.8)
Free throw rate D, 33rd (28.7)
TO percentage, 70th (16.6)
TO percentage D, 252nd (17.0)
Good stat: 38.2 3-point percentage rating
Three of USC's top four scorers shoot at least 37.5 percent from behind the arc, so the 3-pointer could become a huge part of the Trojan offense. McLauglin, Reinhardt, Stewart and Boatwright are fearless shooters, and that confidence has paid off.
Bad stat: 17.0 turnover percentage D
Imagine how much more explosive the Trojans could be if they forced more turnovers. That would mean more possessions and more opportunity. Only McLaughlin has multiple steals per game and USC doesn't play the kind of pressure defense that would generate a lot of mistakes.
HOW FAR WILL THEY GO?
Best-case scenario: Sweet 16
USC might be able to shoot itself to the Sweet 16, but it might take more than just a couple of Trojans hitting on all cylinders to do so. They would cause matchup problems and with an early rhythm could put their opponents in a big hole.
Worst-case scenario: Opening round loss
On a neutral site, USC could be ripe to get picked early. The Trojans didn't accomplish anything against the better Pac-12 competition away from home. They were just 5-10 away from the Galen Center. The question remains whether enough shots will fall if the surroundings aren't familiar.