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First Four 2017: Three ways USC can beat Providence

By Keith Rivas

Jan 25, 2017; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Southern California Trojans coach Andy Enfield (right) and guard Jordan McLaughlin (11) react during a NCAA basketball game against the UCLA Bruins at Galen Center. USC defeated UCLA 84-76. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 25, 2017; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Southern California Trojans coach Andy Enfield (right) and guard Jordan McLaughlin (11) react during a NCAA basketball game against the UCLA Bruins at Galen Center. USC defeated UCLA 84-76. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports /
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Dec 17, 2016; Providence, RI, USA; Providence Friars forward Rodney Bullock (5) walks onto the court before a game against the Wagner Seahawks at the Dunkin Donuts Center. Mandatory Credit: Brian Fluharty-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 17, 2016; Providence, RI, USA; Providence Friars forward Rodney Bullock (5) walks onto the court before a game against the Wagner Seahawks at the Dunkin Donuts Center. Mandatory Credit: Brian Fluharty-USA TODAY Sports /

Shutting down Rodney Bullock

For USC, it is crucial to keep the game under their pace. Should Providence somehow come out rolling, the chances of the Trojans making up ground in this situation aren’t pretty.

One major part of that is controlling the scoring frequency of Providence forward Rodney Bullock.

As pointed out by Zach Helfand of the Los Angeles Times, Bullock is the best scorer between both teams. Going into the game, he currently averages 15.7 points and 6.4 rebounds per contest.

It is of utmost importance for USC to protect the glass from him as well. Being physical will determine that part of the game, but they can’t forget to put a hand in his face on every shot.

Not to mention the fact that Bullock sees nearly 33 minutes on the floor each game. It won’t be uncommon for USC to have to figure him out on every possession.

Similar to how they controlled scoring options for UCLA, the Trojans must guard Bullock with the same confidence to have a shot at moving on.

But they can’t let him torch them like he did last year on a heart-breaking buzzer beater.

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