State of Troy: October 2017
October 27, 2017 | Football, Men's Basketball, Men's Water Polo, Women's Rowing, Women's Soccer, Women's Tennis, Women's Volleyball, USC Ripsit Blog, Features
USC AD Lynn Swann gives his take on the hot topics around Heritage Hall.
Swann on USC Football after the Notre Dame loss…
Unfortunately, the team is in a difficult place in terms of injuries and coming off a bad loss. It was not a close game and we did not play well. Notre Dame has improved this year and is playing much more consistently. We did our share to make them look really good. We do not want to make the injuries an excuse. This is where the depth of a team comes into play, and that takes time to build, and that's where we are. When you have injuries and players unavailable, and you don't have depth quite like you need it, it shows up in a game like this. When you make mistakes, it amplifies it. Our freshmen found out what this rivalry is all about. This was a bowl game atmosphere with national implications. That's part of the history of this game. But I am confident our coaches will make the necessary adjustments to help our team bounce back as they contend to win the Pac-12 South.
Swann on women's soccer's 13-game unbeaten run…
Keidane [McAlpine] said that he had a very young team but a talented team. At the beginning of the season, when the performances were a little ragged, he believed that over time they would come through. That's where we are right now. Our younger players are stepping up. The veterans are guiding and leading this team. They are becoming a cohesive unit. They are headed back to the NCAA Tournament, and they will have a chance to have an impact.
Swann on women's volleyball at the midway point of Pac-12 play…
They had a tough home loss to Stanford and then a setback at Colorado, but they bounced back nicely to beat Utah on the road. They are going to have a good season. The question is if they can step up against the best teams and play at a high level consistently. They have to close when they are in position to win a game.
Swann on men's water polo's determined senior class…
When you have 13 seniors, and they are playing on a team that Jovan Vavic is coaching with his great history of national championships, they came here for that and they know this is their last chance. I am hopeful for them that they will put this together. I know it grinds on them. There's nothing that they won't do to win this national championship. I have the utmost faith that they will make this happen.
Swann on the rest of the athletic calendar…
The fall season is heating up with men's and women's swimming competing as well as tennis and golf. I like what I am seeing from two of our newest hires, women's tennis head coach Alison Swain and women's rowing head coach Josh Adam. Alison is getting the team ready and they seem to be responding well to her leadership. I'm really happy about women's rowing's preseason. They have a full-time strength and conditioning coach that is pushing them hard, and their erg tests have shown great improvement. I think it will carry over for them in the boat.
Swann on any updates about the men's basketball investigation…
Nothing new from what we've already said. Our hands are tied as the federal investigation goes on. When they give us the go ahead to take a look internally, we will be able to do that.
Unfortunately, the team is in a difficult place in terms of injuries and coming off a bad loss. It was not a close game and we did not play well. Notre Dame has improved this year and is playing much more consistently. We did our share to make them look really good. We do not want to make the injuries an excuse. This is where the depth of a team comes into play, and that takes time to build, and that's where we are. When you have injuries and players unavailable, and you don't have depth quite like you need it, it shows up in a game like this. When you make mistakes, it amplifies it. Our freshmen found out what this rivalry is all about. This was a bowl game atmosphere with national implications. That's part of the history of this game. But I am confident our coaches will make the necessary adjustments to help our team bounce back as they contend to win the Pac-12 South.Swann on women's soccer's 13-game unbeaten run…
Keidane [McAlpine] said that he had a very young team but a talented team. At the beginning of the season, when the performances were a little ragged, he believed that over time they would come through. That's where we are right now. Our younger players are stepping up. The veterans are guiding and leading this team. They are becoming a cohesive unit. They are headed back to the NCAA Tournament, and they will have a chance to have an impact.
Swann on women's volleyball at the midway point of Pac-12 play…
They had a tough home loss to Stanford and then a setback at Colorado, but they bounced back nicely to beat Utah on the road. They are going to have a good season. The question is if they can step up against the best teams and play at a high level consistently. They have to close when they are in position to win a game.
Swann on men's water polo's determined senior class…
When you have 13 seniors, and they are playing on a team that Jovan Vavic is coaching with his great history of national championships, they came here for that and they know this is their last chance. I am hopeful for them that they will put this together. I know it grinds on them. There's nothing that they won't do to win this national championship. I have the utmost faith that they will make this happen.Swann on the rest of the athletic calendar…
The fall season is heating up with men's and women's swimming competing as well as tennis and golf. I like what I am seeing from two of our newest hires, women's tennis head coach Alison Swain and women's rowing head coach Josh Adam. Alison is getting the team ready and they seem to be responding well to her leadership. I'm really happy about women's rowing's preseason. They have a full-time strength and conditioning coach that is pushing them hard, and their erg tests have shown great improvement. I think it will carry over for them in the boat.
Swann on any updates about the men's basketball investigation…
Nothing new from what we've already said. Our hands are tied as the federal investigation goes on. When they give us the go ahead to take a look internally, we will be able to do that.
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