SoCal College Game Preview

USC Matches Up Against LMU Tonight--(November 21, 1997)

So, the Cleveland High Alumni Game isn't exciting enough for you? Can't get in to see Michael Jordan and the Bulls meet the Clippers at the Sports Arena. All is not lost. Check out USC's game tonight against LMU. While it's a "road trip", it's not much of one. In fact some of the guys on the Trojan team grew up closer to LMU in Westchester than to the USC campus they now attend.

The Trojans (1-1) have lost to New Mexico, and scored an easy victory against Sacramento State. Look for the freshmen and transfers to provide the big spark. Forward Adam Spanich and guard Kevin Augustine have provided the scoring impetus for the Trojans, and Greg Lakey (Harvard-Westlake player Russell's cousin) is playing great. Spanich is averaging 14 ppg, and Jeff Trepagnier, a freshman guard is averaging 8 ppg and 4.5 rebounds.

In case you forgot, USC had a 17-11 overall record last year, finished tied for second in the Pac-10 at 12-6 in conference play, and went to the NCAA Tourney for the first time since 1992. This year's team is led by senior forward Gary Williams and junior guard Elias Ayuso, and has eight returning players, four transfers or freshmen and one player coming off a redshirt year. Stais Boseman, Jaha Wilson, David Crouse and NBA first-round pick Rodrick Rhodes are all gone. Last week against Sac State, Junior guard Elias Ayuso had 14 points (12 in the second half), and Spanich led all scorers with 18, including four three-pointers.

The game will be broadcast on the Trojan Basketball Radio Network, station KIEV-AM (870). Larry Kahn is the play-by-play, and ex-USC assistant coach Jim Hefner is the color commentary guy.

Here's the roster for tonight for USC:

Gary Williams (6'-7" Sr. F, 235) Bay Shore, N.Y. (Riverside C.C.)
Anthony White (6'-8" Sr. F 215)Jersey City, N.J. (Los Angeles City Col.)
Kevin Augustine (6'-0" Fr. G 185)Yorba Linda, CA (Mater Dei)
Seymour Daffeh (6'-6" Jr. F 210) South Boston, VA (Episcopal)
Jeff Trepagnier (6'-4" Fr. G 185) Compton, CA (Compton)
Adam Spanich (6'-7" Jr. F 212)Cedar Rapids, IA (Marshalltown C.C.)
Elias Ayuso (6'-2" Jr. G 195) Roswell, N.M. (New Mexico J.C.)
Jarvis Turner (6'-8" So. F 230) Bakersfield, CA (South Bakersfield)
Shannon Swillis (6'-6" Fr. F 225) Fresno, CA (Bullard)
Ken Sims (6'-5" Sr. G 200) Union, S.C. (New Mexico J.C.)
Gary Johnson (6'-0" Sr. G 175) Washington D.C. (Brown Mackie Col.)
Behzad Souferian (6'-2" Sr. G 170) Los Angeles, CA (Santa Monica Col.)
Greg Lakey (6'-8" Fr. F 200) Lynwood, CA (Lynwood)
Ramy Shoukry (6'-7" Sr. F 225) Newport Beach, CA (Collin County Col.)

Loyola Marymount is 0-1. Lost to UNLV. Not much to say about this team. . .yet. They're bigger than USC, but then we'll see if they have the speed to keep up. They had 20 turnovers against UNLV, but did score well from three point range 10-23 shooting .435 for threes: Ammerman went 5-7 on his three point attempts, while Kennedy shot 2-2. Hotopp, Cornell, Knollmiller, and Kainga each had one blocked shot, exploiting their height to good advantage.

Here's the LMU roster:

Haywood Eaddy (5'-6" Jr. G 140)
Tim Kennedy (6-5 Jr. G. 200)
Willie Allen (5-11 Jr. G 160)
Mahail Papadopulos (5-10 Jr. G 165)
Chris Evelyn (6-1 Jr. G 175)
Leo Saucedo (6-4 Jr. G 185)
Elton Mashack (6-5 Fr. F 190)
Ben Ammerman (6-7 Sr. F 210)
Jay Knollmiller (6-10 So. C 250)
Silvester Kainga (6-11 Jr. C 220)
Peter Cornell (6-11 Jr. C 245)
Jason Perry (6-7 So. F 220)
Kenny Hotopp (6-10 Sr. F 230)

So while this game is still a "road" game for USC, it's really the first chance for the hometown crowd to check them out this season. So stop burning those stupid bonfires, Trojan fans, you don't stand a chance against those gutty little Bruins tomorrow anyway, so come on over to LMU to watch a real team play. . . just kidding. But it should be a good show if you can make it.

Personally, I'll be at the Bulls game, but we'll let you all know how both games come out.

©Copyright SoCalHoops 1997
All rights reserved
Questions? Comments? Need Information?
Contact: jegesq@SoCalHoops.com