Miami basketball NCAA Q and A with USC partner site Reign of Troy

Ahead of the NCAA tournament game between Miami and USC, Reign of Troy, our partner site answered questions before the Friday afternoon tipoff. Each team has noticeable advantages. The Miami basketball team has a huge advantage in turnover margin. Miami forces 4.2 more turnovers than they commit.

USC commits two turnovers per game more than they force. The Trojans will have a huge size advantage over the Hurricanes. USC has six players in their rotation 6’7 or taller. Sam Waardenburg at 6’10 and Anthony Walker at 6’9 are the only players 6’7 or taller in the Miami rotation. Spreading USC out will be important.

The questions center on the importance of the guard play for Miami and bigs for USC. Miami has been led by guards Kameron McGusty, Charlie Moore and Isaiah Wong this season. USC is led by guard Boogie Ellis, 6’8 wing Drew Peterson and 6’10 power forward Isaiah Mobley. That contrast should be decisive.

Miami will need to spread the floor, turnover USC and take advantage of their edge in quickness. Jim Larranaga changed the way Miami plays this season because of their lack of size and talent on the perimeter. That style will be tested against USC. Reign of Troy has answers on what to watch between Miami and USC.

Canes Warning: USC has a huge advantage in size. That shows in the rebounding and blocked shot advantage. How will USC use that to their advantage?

“1. USC will use size to their advantage by trying to play smash-mouth basketball. When USC is at their best, they’re forcing other teams into slugfests. They were 14th in field goal percentage allowed after the regular season, and sixth before their two-game losing streak at the end of their regular season.