USC vs. Portland – Pre-Game Editorial Preview
USC heads into this matchup with Portland looking for a reset, and this game offers exactly that. Portland is a team built on pace, volume, and chaos — not size. They want to speed you up, turn you over, and live off transition opportunities. But underneath that fast tempo is a team that also struggled with discipline and efficiency in their opener against Montana State.
Portland put up a pace of 84, but the speed didn’t translate into control. They finished with 33 turnovers and a defensive rating of 102.4, while shooting just 33% from the field. Their three-point shooting was even colder at 25% (7-for-27). Most of their real production came in the paint, where they went 55% on twos and a modest 50% at the rim. They’re a good free-throw shooting group, but their lack of size shows up on the glass — only 20 defensive rebounds and 12 offensive rebounds.
The Pilots start a lineup that tops out at 6'2", and that smaller frontcourt forces them to play fast and gamble. They do get into passing lanes — 11 steals per game — and they stay active defensively. But it comes at a cost. When their pressure doesn’t land, teams get easy looks, and Portland struggles to recover.
Players to Watch
Rhyán Mogel (5'10") is the engine behind their offense. She thrives in transition and scores almost exclusively downhill. Her 66.7% two-point shooting is nearly all from paint touches. She also adds 4 assists and 2 steals per game, making her the player who turns defensive chaos into instant offense.
Florence Dallow (6'2"), their leading scorer at 16 points, is a clean finisher around the rim at 60% from two and plays 27 minutes per game. She’s not a bruiser — she’s a mover, a cutter, someone who scores through timing and space.
Their third scoring option, Dyani Ananiev adds another 12 points, mostly from mid-range and opportunistic drives.
This team wants to run, slash, and attack. They do not want to play half-court basketball with a bigger, more disciplined opponent.
What It Means for USC
This matchup provides USC exactly what they need: a chance to regain confidence from the perimeter and reassert physical control on the glass. Portland’s numbers — from the rebounding totals to the defensive gaps — offer USC the breathing room to find rhythm from deep, clean up second-chance opportunities, and settle back into their identity.
If USC protects the ball, keeps Portland out of transition, and forces them to shoot over length, the Trojans should dictate this game from start to finish. This is a chance to reset, sharpen, and run their system the way they’re capable of — with pace under control, defensive poise, and renewed confidence from the arc. Click below to watch video where we discuss in further detail:
