Southern California eyes 3-0 start with UT Arlington in town
Southern California continues a six-game homestand to open its season on Wednesday when the Trojans welcome UT Arlington to Los Angeles.
USC (2-0) needed a late-game surge to hold off Idaho State 75-69 last Thursday. Josh Cohen scored 19 points to lead three Trojans scorers in double figures, a trio that included Saint Thomas with 10 points, nine assists, seven rebounds and two steals.
The Trojans shot 24 of 56 (42.9 percent) from the floor, and 20 of those baskets came with assists. In USC's 77-51 season-opening blowout of Chattanooga on Nov. 4, 21 of its 32 field goals were assisted.
"I'm feeling very good about this team," Thomas said. "I've said since the start that I think we can make a run late in March Madness, but it starts with just being disciplined."
Part of USC's offensive discipline has included limiting turnovers, with a combined 15 through two games.
Effective ball movement has resulted in balanced scoring, with Wesley Yates III, Chibuzo Agbo, Desmond Claude and Matt Knowling all showing early breakout potential.
UT Arlington (1-1) comes in with Jaden Wells, Raysean Seamster and Troy Hupstead putting up points through two games.
The trio combined for 51 points, but the Mavericks got only 26 from the rest of the team in a 92-77 home loss to Louisiana Tech on Saturday.
Hupstead scored 20 points on 6-of-9 shooting from the floor, while Wells shot 4-of-11 from 3-point distance en route to 17 points.
Hupstead, Wells and Seamster are newcomers, along with most of the UT Arlington roster, which underwent almost a complete overhaul after last season's 20-win campaign.
"We have 11 new guys. We're still trying to feel each other, but that's no excuse," said Mavericks coach KT Turner, who is in his second season at the helm. "It's all about getting better. It's a process for us. It's early in the season."
