2018-19 USC Women's Basketball Season Outlook

Things are changing at USC.

The atmosphere at practice is markedly different this season. The first thing you'll notice: Empty chairs. While past seasons have opened with the sidelines peppered with a player or two — or three — held out by injuries — this year's first practice had every student-athlete on the roster in action.

So, the next thing you'll notice is: Noise. With everyone up and running for 2018-19, that means the Women of Troy have 13 pairs of shoes squeaking on the courts of the Galen Center. That includes six Women of Troy who will be lacing up for their first official action at USC this season.

Which leads us to the next thing you'll notice: A new vibe. The energy and excitement generated by USC's combination of Trojan veterans and fresh faces is palpable.

"I'm really heartened by the chemistry," USC head coach Mark Trakh said. "We've got great kids that have great chemistry. Anybody who's been to our practices or have talked to our kids knows that we have a great culture here. They're getting along, they're having fun, they're working hard and I really appreciate all their effort. There's a lot of positives coming out of these practices right now."

USC's senior class, in particular, offers a window into the new chemical formula that Trakh is working with this season — a blend of players with diverse talents and diverse experience. Aliyah Mazyck is USC's record-holder for single-season 3-pointers made and is coming off a junior season where she averaged 16.5 points per game. She and fellow senior Marguerite Effa enter their fourth and final seasons at USC, standing out as the vets of the group. Seniors Mariya Moore and Cheyanne Wallace, meanwhile, bring another angle of experience to the picture. Moore was a decorated player at Louisville, then transferred to USC last season. This year will mark her first game action as a Trojan. Wallace also opted to change course to USC, coming across town from Loyola Marymount to get in the mix this season as a grad transfer.

Moore and Wallace are two of those six Women of Troy set to log their first minutes at USC. Two others, meanwhile, are finally off the sidelines and in full force after sitting out the 2017-18 season. Shalexxus Aaron and Asiah Jones both redshirted last year to heal up. Aaron, a redshirt freshman, will add athleticism to the back court. Jones, now a redshirt sophomore, is back in action as a versatile and athletic post player. As a true freshman, she made eight blocks in a single game to mark the most by a Trojan since Lisa Leslie in 1993.

Speaking of impact freshmen, USC has that, too. Forward Jillian Archer and guard Desiree Caldwell are USC's two true freshmen this season. Already it's clear that their personalities and talents are quick fits in this season's new-and-improved team. While Archer adds length down low for the Trojans, Caldwell is a dynamic and savvy key to USC's guard play. She, Mazyck and junior Minyon Moore are the top candidates to be called upon to run the show at the point during the season. Mazyck and Moore were both named to the Pac-12 All-Defensive Team last year, and both were crucial offensive sparks as well. Moore was USC's third leading scorer with 13.2 points per game and served up 5.3 assists per game.

Meanwhile, back at the post, USC has two standout juniors lined up for duty. Ja'Tavia Tapley was the sixth man last year, and her 6-3 frame and incredible athleticism will be back for more this season. Newly crowned for her junior season at USC is Vanderbilt transfer Kayla Overbeck, whose waiver to compete immediately as a Trojan was granted by the NCAA. An All-SEC honoree as a freshman, Overbeck adds yet another valuable depth charge to the post for USC this season. Forward Danijela Milisic and guard Kyerstin Galloway round out the USC roster.

With added depth inside and out, fans will also notice some changes in the Trojan gameplan. Head coach Mark Trakh now has the flexibility to mix things up — attacking in new ways and pressing even harder — to make the Women of Troy an even more formidable foe than in the past. With a competitive nonconference slate to be followed by and always-aggressive Pac-12 schedule on tap, a deep and talented roster is key to making a run into the postseason.

"We're deeper at point guard, we're deeper at the post," Trakh said. "We can play the post by committee and see what shakes out. We can get up and down the floor.

"It's a good schedule, and we know we want to finish high in the conference. We've got to get experience and confidence now so that we will be ready for a tough Pac-12."

USC's 2018-19 schedule is set. The Women of Troy open their campaign on November 6 against UC Riverside at Galen Center. Pac-12 play kicks off December 30 against crosstown rival UCLA — also on USC's home court. For the complete 2018-schedule CLICK HERE.

Players Mentioned

Shalexxus Aaron

Jillian Archer

Desiree Caldwell

Marguerite Effa

Kyerstin Galloway

Asiah Jones

Aliyah Mazyck

Danijela Milisic

Mariya Moore

Minyon Moore

Kayla Overbeck

Ja'Tavia Tapley

Cheyanne Wallace