USC among double-digit seeds in NCAA Tournament with best chance to make Elite Eight
USC has its third consecutive appearance in the NCAA Tournament under coach Andy Enfield. The Trojans (22-10) enter postseason play as a No. 10 seed in the Field of 68, slated to take on No. 7 seed Michigan State on Friday at 9:15 a.m. PT on CBS.
Enfield has gotten the Trojans into the NCAA Tournament four other times in his 10 seasons with the program, but only once has USC made it past the opening weekend.
According to early round-by-round probability from Shot Quality, USC has the best chance of any double-digit seed to not just get past the opening weekend, but reach the Elite Eight. Shot Quality gives USC a 9.5% chance to reach the regional final out of the East.
Just got the @Shot_Quality Round-by-Round Probabilities 👀
Here are the only double digit seeds with a >5% chance to reach the Elite Eight.
10 USC 9.5%
10 Penn St 6.5%
10 Utah St 6%
11 Miss St 5.6%
11 Providence 5%— Justin Perri (@JustinPerri8) March 13, 2023
The Trojans were led by Boogie Ellis and Drew Peterson this season, a pair of guards who combined for 32 points a night. Ellis averaged a career-best 18 a game.
There isn’t a particularly elite offense or defense on either side of the floor for USC, but the Trojans rank top 50 in KenPom’s adjusted efficiency metrics in both. The Trojans are excellent 2-point jumpers, both in knocking them down and defending them.
Their opening-round opponent, Michigan State, is excellent from 3, but shoots a poor percentage from 2.
A win for the Trojans would likely set up a date with No. 2 seed Marquette in the Round of 32. From there, USC could meet either Kentucky or Kansas State in the Sweet 16.