The long-awaited debut of star USC freshman Alijah Arenas should wait not less than one other week.
Arenas is “progressing nicely” from the knee harm he suffered in the summertime, however not able to return, an individual accustomed to his standing not licensed to talk publicly informed The Instances.
The five-star prospect has already been dominated out for this week’s matchups in opposition to Maryland or Purdue, which had initially been the goal for his return.
When Arenas will swimsuit up for USC is unsure. The expectation is that he’ll play for the Trojans sooner or later throughout Massive Ten play, presumably by the tip of this month.
Arenas returned to apply final month after sitting out since July. He mentioned on the time that he’d been undecided on whether or not to return to play for the Trojans versus simply declaring for the draft, however that his teammates “had been sort of the important thing consider me wanting to return again.”
They might use him again as quickly as doable. The Trojans (13-3, 2-3 Massive Ten) narrowly escaped a 3rd straight loss Friday in Minneapolis and are nonetheless scraping by with a ballhander-by-committee method. When he does return, Arenas is anticipated to step into a major position.
Two of USC’s subsequent three video games are at house in opposition to the Massive Ten’s two worst groups — Maryland and Northwestern — however after that, highway matchups in opposition to Iowa and Wisconsin, every of which have misplaced only one house sport this season, will loom massive for the Trojans.
With out Arenas, USC will proceed to lean closely on sixth-year senior Chad Baker-Mazara, who bounced again in a giant means from a two-game stoop Friday, scoring 29 factors.
