USC faces huge test on the road against #2 Texas

(A/P Photos)

The first road game of the year is always tough, what with the unfamiliar setting and opposing fans making all the wrong kinds of noise; however, tonight’s game will be even tougher for the traveling Trojans as they take on a 2^nd ranked Texas Longhorns team.

The Longhorns enter tonight's game against USC undefeated through five games. Texas has averaged a scoring margin of 27.6 ppg game over its opponents during its five-game winning streak to start the season, second to only conference rival Kansas, who has won its games by an average margin of 31 ppg.

Simply put, Kevin O'Neill and his team will definitely have their work cut out for them.

Texas is led by two seniors, guard-forward Damion James and center Dextar Pittman. Through the Longhorns first five games of the season, James has been on a tear, averaging of 15.4 ppg, 10.2 rpg and 1.2 bpg.

Pittman has done his part to solidify a Longhorns frontline and has averaged 15.2 ppg, 6.2 rpg and 2.0 bpg on the year.

Adding to Texas' hot start are two true freshman, Jordan Hamilton, a 6'7” forward from Dominguez High School in Los Angeles, and elite 6'3” guard, Avery Bradley.

Hamilton, Rivals' 6^th ranked prospect in the 2009 recruiting class, has averaged 9.8 ppg, 3.2 rpg and 1 spg in his brief collegiate career.

Bradley, Rivals' 4^th rated prospect in the same recruiting class, holds averages of 8.6 ppg and 1.2 spg on the season.

The Trojans enter tonight's game coming off of a loss to a now 5-1 Nebraska team. Against the Huskers, USC kept it close, but ultimately could not do enough to pull out a victory, falling 51-48.

While USC has a split record through four games, its performances have actually been a lot better than critics expected.

Marcus Johnson and North Carolina transfer, Alex Stepheson, finally made their debuts after missing the first two games of the season and have quickly given the Trojans a boost, not to mention much needed depth.

Stepheson looks like a beast in the front court and should be inserted into the starting lineup as he rounds into game shape, while Johnson has taken over for the injured Kasey Cunningham, who will likely be lost for the year due to injury.

With the additions of Stepheson and Johnson to an already decent core of Dwight Lewis, Nikola Vucevic and Donte Smith, the Trojans are starting to resemble a solid team instead of a hodge-podge of moving parts.

The Trojans may not get out of Austin with the victory; however, there is enough progress seen through four games to warrant at least a bit of optimism.

USC (2-2) at (2) Texas (5-0)
9:00 pm EST Thu Dec 3, 2009