The hits keep on coming for USC Trojans basketball, and by hits I mean crowbars to various body parts. As if Jio Fontan's season-ending injury wasn't bad enough to deal with, sophomore transfer DeWayne Dedmon broke his hand in practice and will miss at least the next month. The 7-foot forward Dedmon was recruited from Antelope College and expected to tag up with Aaron Fuller and Garrett Jackson.
The injuries to Fontan and Dedmon will force Kevin O'Neill to again shorten his depth chart and lengthen the minutes each Trojan starter plays, regardless of whether they can manage those minutes and maintain playing at a high level.
Dedmon could be back in time for the start of the season, but he could also miss the team's first several basketball games, including a crucial road date with San Diego State. Although it won't damage the team's conference title chances, any losses early in non-conference play could be very damaging to any tournament hopes the Trojans have.
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