Reign of Troy
Fansided

Twitter Reaction to Chimezie Metu’s Return: USC to the Final Four?

By Michael Castillo

Jan 19, 2017; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Southern California Trojans forward Chimezie Metu (4) flexes his biceps in celebration in the second half against the Arizona Wildcats during a NCAA basketball at Galen Center. Arizona defeated USC 73-66. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 19, 2017; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Southern California Trojans forward Chimezie Metu (4) flexes his biceps in celebration in the second half against the Arizona Wildcats during a NCAA basketball at Galen Center. Arizona defeated USC 73-66. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit

The USC basketball team got a tremendous shot in the arm Monday night with news Chimezie Metu will return for a third season in 2017-18. As you’d expect, Twitter lit up about it.

With Chimezie Metu back on the roster, USC instantly becomes a legitimate contender in the Pac-12 alongside the likes of Arizona, UCLA and Oregon, depending on how each team’s roster settles after the NBA Draft.

Metu is a dynamic player in the front court, and an extremely necessary returnee, given the wealth of the Trojans’ depth is along the perimeter. That includes former Duke guard Derryck Thornton, and incoming four-star Charles O’Bannon Jr., who projects as a small forward and potential replacement for Bennie Boatwright.

Then again, Metu’s decision to come back could alter the opinion of Boatwright and Elijah Stewart, two players who have already thrown their hat into the NBA Draft ring. They’ve got until June 12th to rescind their entry.

If they too return, there’s no saying how good the Trojans can be.

READ MORE: Where USC Hoops Ranks in Way-Too-Early Rankings

Gone are the days of playing the what-if-Nick-Young-and-Gabe-Pruitt-never-left-game, because next season’s roster could honestly be the most talented in the history of the program.

Think that’s crazy? Let’s pan over to Twitter for some consensus praise for the 2017-18 Trojans, better known as a #HYPETRAIN.

Home/USC BASKETBALL NEWS