How To Explain USC’s 12-0 Start

USC basketball — LOS ANGELES, CA - DECEMBER 07: Max Agbonkpolo #23, Isaiah Mobley #3, Joshua Morgan #24, Chevez Goodwin and Drew Peterson #13 listen as head coach Andy Enfield of the USC Trojans during a time out in game Eastern Kentucky Colonels at Galen Center on December 7, 2021 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Jayne Kamin-Oncea/Getty Images)

In this second straight Covid impacted season, Andy Enfield’s Trojans are 12-0 (2-0 in PAC 12 play), ranked 7th in this week’s AP poll and one of only five remaining unbeaten teams. This is USC’s highest AP ranking since 1975; last season’s Elite Eight team was never ranked as high. Including the postponed games against the Arizona schools, the Trojans will have missed three straight games due to Covid protocols.

Garry Paskwietz (1966-2019)