March Madness: USC hoping to mimic Dunk City’s magical run
FILE - In this March 24, 2013, file photo, Florida Gulf Coast's Chase Fieler, top, dunks over San Diego State's Deshawn Stephens during the first half of a third-round game at the NCAA college basketball tournament in Philadelphia. It's been 10 years since USC coach Andy Enfield's life changed forever when he helped put tiny Florida Gulf Coast University on the map with a magical run through March. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum, File)[ASSOCIATED PRESS/Matt Slocum]
COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) — Southern California’s film work before the NCAA Tournament included watching highlights of Florida Gulf Coast’s magical run 10 years ago. Coach Andy Enfield schooled his Trojans on “Dunk City.” Enfield was at FGCU in 2013, when the Eagles soared their way to the Sweet 16 and put their small school on Florida’s west coast on the map. USC will face Michigan State in Friday’s East Region. This season didn’t start so well for the Trojans, who lost at home to FGCU before finding their stride and finishing 14-6 in the Pac-12. The Spartans are in the NCAA field for the 25th straight year under coach Tom Izzo.
Copyright 2023 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.
FILE - Southern California head coach Andy Enfield watches during in the first half of an NCAA college basketball game Thursday, Feb. 23, 2023, in Boulder, Colo. When it came time for film study this week, Enfield took the unconventional route and dipped into the archives. He showed his players older NCAA Tournament clips before focusing on Michigan State. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski, File)
Photo: ASSOCIATED PRESS/David Zalubowski
FILE - Michigan State head coach Tom Izzo reacts to a call during overtime in an NCAA college basketball game against Iowa, Saturday, Feb. 25, 2023, in Iowa City, Iowa. The Spartans face Southern California in the first round of the NCAA Tournament. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall, File)
Photo: ASSOCIATED PRESS/Charlie Neibergall
FILE - Purdue head coach Matt Painter watches during the second half of an NCAA semifinal basketball game against Ohio State at the Big Ten men's tournament, Saturday, March 11, 2023, in Chicago. Purdue faces Fairleigh Dickinson in the first round of the NCAA Tournament. (AP Photo/Erin Hooley, File)
Photo: ASSOCIATED PRESS/Erin Hooley