The Texas Longhorns head to the consolation bracket of the Maui Invitational to take on the USC Trojans. Like the Longhorns, the Trojans were embarrassed in their opening round game. Unlike the Longhorns, the Trojans actually lost to a respectable opponent in Illinois. USC lost by 30, 94-64, in its first game.
The Trojans are deep, but not particularly talented. The leading scorer this year is junior college transfer J.T. Terrell, who started his career at Wake Forest. Terrell is averaging 12.7 points in three games, but is shooting just 30.8% on the year. Forward Eric Wise is the other player currently in double figures, with 10.0 PPG. He and forward/center Dewyne Dedmon are the rebounders to start the game.
PG Jio Fontan was once a promising transfer from Fordham and a marginal NBA prospect. He tore his ACL prior to his senior season last year, and is still trying to get up to game speed. Two intriguing big men transfers, Omar Oraby (Rice) and Renaldo Woolridge (Tennessee) have yet to get much playing time. Oraby got a hardship waiver on November 8, allowing him to play immediately. That's sure to stick in the craw of Texas fans awaiting news on Myck Kabongo.
USC isn't particularly good; then again, the Longhorns aren't any great shakes either. Call it a toss-up.
LINEUP
PROJECTED STARTERS
Texas: G - Javan Felix (Fr.) | G - Sheldon McClellan (So.) | F - Ioannis Papapetrou (Fr.) | F - Jonathan Holmes (So.) | C - Cameron Ridley (Fr.)
USC: G - Jio Fontan (Sr.) | G - JT Terrell (Jr.) | G - Byron Wesley (So.) | F - Eric Wise (Sr.) | F - Dewayne Dedmon (Jr.)
BENCH
Texas: G - Julien Lewis (So.) | G - DeMarcus Holland (Fr.) | F - Connor Lammert (Fr.) | C - Prince Ibeh (Fr.)
USC: G - Greg Allen (Jr.) | G - Chass Bryan (Fr.) | G - Brendyn Taylor (Fr.) | F - Ari Stewart (Jr.) | F - Aaron Fuller (Sr.) | F - Renaldo Woolridge (Sr.) | F - Strahinja Gavrilovic (Fr.) | C - James Blasczyk (Sr.) | C - Omar Oraby (Jr.)
INJURIES/ISSUES
Texas: F - Jaylen Bond (Out - Ankle) | G - Myck Kabongo (Up in the Air - NCAA Eligibility)
USC: G - Maurice Jones (Redshirt - Academics)
TEXASSPORTS.COM MEDIA/NOTES
EA SPORTS Maui Invitational
TEXAS (2-1) vs. USC (2-1)
Tuesday, Nov. 20, 2012 • 4 p.m. CT
Maui, Hawai'i • Lahaina Civic Center (2,400)
TV: ESPN2
Dave O’Brien (play-by-play); Jimmy Dykes (analyst).
Radio: Longhorn IMG Radio Network
Satellite Radio: XM 202 / Sirius 216
Streaming Audio: TexasSports.com