USD Toreros Look to Build Upon 18-Win Campaign Despite Key Losses to Portal
San Diego Toreros face roster overhaul under Coach Steve Lavin, aiming for a top WCC finish with standout center Steven Jamerson leading the charge
After an 18-win campaign and a mid-pack conference finish last season, USD faces an uphill battle after losing five key players to the transfer portal. But with head coach Steve Lavin’s track record and the potential emergence of center Steven Jamerson, this could be a season where the Toreros surprise the conference.
Jamerson, a 6-foot-10 junior, returns as USD’s top-scoring threat after nearly averaging a double-double last year. His performance will be critical for a Toreros squad that brings in fresh talent through transfers and recruits.
Overview
San Diego Toreros (San Diego, CA)
4 NCAA tournament appearances
Last season: 18-15 (7-9); 5th in WCC
Coaching Staff
Head Coach: Steve Lavin (2 seasons at USD, 29-35 (.453))
Assistants: John Moore, Patrick Sandle, Earl Watson
Offseason Changes
Key Departures: Deuce Turner (UC Santa Barbara); Wanye McKinney III (San Diego State); PJ Hayes (Rutgers); Kevin Patton Jr. (USC); Jimmy Oladokun Jr. (Rice)
Incoming Transfers & Freshmen: Kevin “Kjay” Bradley (San Diego City College); Kody Clouet (Southeastern Oklahoma State); Jackson Gaffney (Rocktop Academy); Chas Lewless (Martin Luther King), Gavin Ripp (Archbishop Mitty), Keon Webb (Golden State Prep)
Key Returning Players: Dragos Lungu, Deven Dahlke, Dominic Muncey, Emmanuel Callas, Joey Chammaa; Santigao Trouet, Bendji Pierre, David Simon
Projected Starting Lineup
G - Dominic Muncey, 6-0 (Sr.) (.9 ppg, .9 rpg)
G - Kody Clouet, 6-5 (Gr.) (17.6 ppg, 5.1 rpg)
G - Dragos Lungu, 6-6 (So.) (5.1 ppg, 2.6 rpg)
F - David Simon, 6-11 (So.) (3.0 ppg, 1.5 rpg)
C - Steven Jamerson, 6-10 (Jr.) (8.3 ppg, 8.1 rpg, .605 FG)
Three Points:
Upward Trajectory.
Teams not named Gonzaga or Saint Mary’s can have flashes of success in the WCC, but sustaining that success is difficult, and returning to mediocrity is much more likely for a handful of teams in the conference, including USD.
Steve Lavin, now in his third year at USD will try to build upon last season’s 18-win campaign, despite losing five players to other D1 destinations, including four of San Diego’s leading scorers from last season. As Samuel L. Jackson’s Coach Carter character once said, there will be a new leading scorer this season.
It’s a worthy goal for USD to try to finish again in the top 5 of the conference, especially given what occurred in the offseason. I expect USD to play above expectations and finish 6th or 7th because of Lavin’s coaching ability. In his 14-year coaching career, he’s had only three sub-.500 seasons. With enough size to defend in the frontcourt, USD has a chance to pull off some surprise victories during conference play.
Steven Jamerson is the Player to Watch
Jamerson is the Torero’s leading returning scorer, he nearly averaged a double-double last season (8.3 ppg, 8.1 rpg), and will likely see increased touches in the post given the amount of off-season roster attrition.
Last season, in over 20 days during conference play, Jamerson reached double-digit scoring in seven straight games. In this stretch, he scored 20 points in a win against Pepperdine, and a season-high of 22 in a win against Pacific. After that stretch, his production dipped significantly, averaging only 5 points in his team’s final six games. His performance in the post on offense will be crucial for USD’s success this season.
Importance of NIL
One of the reasons for the transfer portal exodus? San Diego lacked an NIL collective when the season concluded. The school rectified that issue in May, announcing the Ole Foundation. One of the Foundation’s advisory board members? Los Angeles Chargers Head Coach Jim Harbaugh coached USD’s football team for three seasons.
*Fun Fact(s)*
One former Torero includes USC head coach Eric Musselman who played for USD between 1983 and 1987. He was a member of the 1986-87 team that compiled the team’s best record, 24-6, and advanced to the NCAA tournament.
Another former Torero is Sacramento Kings head coach Mike Brown. Brown played for USD between 1990 and 1992.
