The second-leading scorer for Southern California this season, Bennie Boatwright, will miss the remainder of the 2017-2018 campaign after suffering a left patella injury during Thursday's dramatic last-second win over Oregon.
Boatwright, a junior, was averaging 13.6 points, 6.4 rebounds and 2.0 assists per game this season.
The injury could be a devastating blow to a Trojans team that had already been battling a lack of depth. Earlier this season, the program ruled out De'Anthony Melton from competition as a precaution for his link to the FBI probe, zapping Andy Enfield's depth from the jump. So with Boatwright out for the season, Enfield will have even less to work with at a time USC desperately needs a late-season surge.
The Trojans ended their three game losing streak on Thursday with a win over Oregon, but as a projected No. 11 seed in Jerry Palm's latest Bracketology, they could teeter back towards the wrong side of the dreaded bubble if they slip back into their struggles with Boatwright out.
In Boatwright's stead, leading scorer Chimezie Metu will be asked to soak up an even larger role in USC's offense, as will seniors Jordan McLaughlin and Elijah Stewart. Sophomore Nick Rakocevic will also see an increased role particularly filling Boatwright's shoes, but the combination of size and athleticism Boatwright brought will be difficult to replace.
