March Madness 2011 Predictions: Can USC Trojans Really Make Noise at Big Dance?

In an up and down season where the USC Trojans men's basketball team has had to overcome injuries, defections, a very poor decision by its head coach and a return from a one-year, self-imposed ban on postseason play, the men of Troy stand on the precipice of roundball glory.

But just barely.

Sporting an unimpressive 19-14 regular season record, USC squeaked into the newly expanded field of 68 teams as one of the last four teams into the prestigious tournament.

Although on the surface this record appears less than impressive, a closer look may hearten the hopes of their beleaguered fans.

When USC began the season, its team faced a myriad of uncertainties, any one of which could have debilitated a lesser group of young men.

Before the ball was rolled onto the court for the first game, the Trojans had to deal with the ramifications of a one-year, self-imposed ban on postseason play as punishment for former head coach Tim Floyd's recruitment of the departed O.J. Mayo.

Then USC had to deal with a broken hand on its enforcer in the middle, Alex Stepheson, who, despite bravely playing through it, was clearly not the player he is now.

To compound the troubles, talented point guard transfer Jio Fontan was ineligible to play until well into the season.

Taken in its entirety, it would be easy to understand if the Trojans stumbled early.

And they did.

With blowout losses to lesser teams such as Rider, coupled with other close losses to teams they should have otherwise beaten, USC was only able to muster a 4-4 record early into the season.

But then came a very impressive blowout of No. 7 Texas, and Trojan fans could see the possibilities of what could be.

This was followed by a road victory over then-ranked Tennessee and a two-point loss on the road at future No. 1 seed Kansas.

All of this was accomplished with a one-handed center and their still ineligible point guard of the future.

This is not to say that the Trojans were bereft of talent. Not at all.

They still had their "double-double machine," Nikola Vucevic, a 6'10", 260-pound forward who many think may be the best player in the conference.

But the team still had no identity.

That too would change.

When point guard Fontan became eligible, the Trojans began to craft the image they now possess.

After some fine-tuning that inserted Fontan into the starting lineup, made three-point specialist Donte Smith the shooting guard and established freshman Maurice Jones as one of the first players off the bench, the Trojans became the team that has unexpectedly muscled its way into the Big Dance.

Oh, and let's not forget defensive specialist Marcus Simmons, the Pac-10 Defensive Player of the Year and the guy who always draws the opposing team's best player.

Despite the Pac-10 tournament antics of their head coach, Kevin O'Neill, who found himself suspended for an unfortunate run in with an Arizona booster, the Trojans finished the season 7-3 and, coupled with a good out-of-conference record, now find themselves preparing to play a talented Virginia Commonwealth team in one of the "first in" tournament games.

To beat them, the Trojans must contend with a high-energy team that can pop the three-point shot with the best of them.

If they can get by VCU, the Georgetown Hoyas await them hungrily.

But first things first.

In a season where the obstacles were many, the Trojans have achieved what many thought was impossible, that being playing in the March Madness tournament.

Can they go deep in their bracket?

Only time will tell, and to be sure, with a very short seven-man rotation, depth issues may trip them up sooner rather than later.

But given the barriers already surmounted, it may be unwise to bet against them.

Even if they get bounced early, the season still was a success.

Given where the Trojans have been, it is a great place for where USC wants to go.

Only time will tell if they can get there this year.