USC men's basketball kicks off against UC Riverside tonight

Photo by Tim Lutes

New head coach, Kevin O'Neill, and the Southern California men's basketball team begin their season this evening against UC Riverside in USC’s home opener at the Galen Center.

After an off-season in flux that saw the top three players on last year’s team, DeMar DeRozan, Daniel Hackett and Taj Gibson, leave to pursue their professional basketball dreams and that also saw the abrupt departure of Tim Floyd, the men's basketball program seeks to find its identity under Kevin O'Neill.

Dwight Lewis returns to lead the Trojans. Last year, Dwight had a scoring average of 10.2 ppg, which he hopes to improve upon in his senior campaign. He will be the unquestioned leader of the team this season.

Beyond Lewis, it will undoubtedly be a learning process for the team as Kevin O'Neill as the coach evaluates his players and the players become comfortable with their head coach and learn the intricacies of his playing style.

Senior forward, Marcus Johnson, and junior guard, Marcus Simmons, will likely take on an increase in responsibilities this year. They will try to fill the roles left by the departed DeRozan and Daniel Hackett.

Redshirt junior transfer, Alex Stepheson, a big burly power forward, who came over from North Carolina, will be called upon to provide a boost in the paint for the Trojans this season.

Stepheson will be counted on to make an even bigger impact for the team after sophomore forward, Leonard Washington, was declared academically ineligible for the first semester.

UC Riverside comes into the game 0-1, having lost its season opener to New Mexico on the 14^th of November.

The Highlanders will trot out the preseason Big West Player of the Year and former USC Trojan, Kyle Austin, who averaged 16.2 ppg for UC Riverside last season.

Following tonight's game the Trojans will entertain three more games at home with match ups against Loyola Marymount, Coppin State and Nebraska on November 21^st, 27^th and 29^th, respectively.

If you've got the time, head down and catch the home opener at the Galen Center tonight where the Men of Troy tip off against UC Riverside at 7:30pm.