Miami basketball forcing turnovers key versus USC

The Miami basketball team ranks 11th nationally forcing 4.2 turnovers more than they commit. USC is 303rd nationally committing two more turnovers than their opponents. Miami also ranks 22nd nationally averaging 8.7 steals per game. Charlie Moore is 39th averaging 1.97 steals per game.

Those numbers favor the Miami basketball team significantly. Miami has to force turnovers to and score in transition against the Trojans. USC wing Drew Peterson, who the Trojans often run their offense through, averages a team-high 2.4 turnovers per game. Four USC players average at least 1.6 turnovers per game.

Miami forces 13.78 turnovers per game. When the Miami basketball team forced at least 13 turnovers during the 2021-22 season they are 15-6. Miami was 5-1 when they forced 17 or more turnovers. The Hurricanes forced a season-high 20 in an 85-64 victory over Pittsburgh on February 22. Miami thrives off forcing turnovers.

With the USC prefers they are going to commit turnovers. The Trojans were an amazing 13-2 in games this season when they committed 13 or more turnovers. The game is likely to be played at a high pace. Miami is 77th nationally averaging 74.8 points per game. USC is 139th at 72.6 PPG.

Live balls turnovers are critical for Miami to turn into points offensively. The ability for Miami to score on the break was illustrated in their victory over Boston College in the ACC Tournament semifinals. Following a BC miss, Sam Waardenburg got the rebound, threw an outlet pass to Moore who fed Jordan Miller for the winner.

Miami has had to force turnovers this season to compensate for a size disadvantage in most games. The Hurricanes trail USC in every rebounding stat and 1.6 fewer shots per game. USC has six players in their rotation 6’7 or taller. Waardenburg at 6’10 and Anthony Walker at 6’9 are the only players 6’7 or taller in the Miami rotation.

Miami needs quality performances from Kameron McGusty, Moore and Isaiah Wong. Drawing the USC bigs away from the basket defensively will also be critical for Miami. Guard Boogie Ellis, forward Isaiah Mobley and Peterson are the players to watch for USC. The Trojans have a huge edge in NCAA Tournament experience.

USC advanced to the West Regional Final last season before losing to eventual National Runner-up Gonzaga. The Trojans’ march to the Elite Eight included an 85-51 victory over Kansas in the second round. Waardenburg played 15 minutes in the Miami 2018 NCAA Tournament loss to Loyola.

McGusty scored nine points for Oklahoma in the Sooners’ loss to Rhode Island in the 2018 NCAA Tournament. Moore played 32 minutes in two NCAA Tournament games with Kansas in 2019. No one else on the Miami roster has NCAA Tournament experience. That should not matter to an older team like Miami.