Vucevic was training with the Montenegro national team overseas in June when USC coach Kevin O'Neill called to inform the junior forward that the school's basketball program had escaped further sanctions from the NCAA. That meant USC was again eligible to compete for an NCAA tournament berth after enduring a self-imposed postseason ban last season.
"It was tough last year because we pretty much weren't playing for anything," Vucevic said Thursday at Pac-10 media day. "I really wanted to have no sanctions and when I found out I was so happy. It made me want to work harder and get better so we can prove to people we deserve to be in the NCAA tournament."
Among the keys to USC's hopes of contending for an NCAA tournament bid is Vucevic, the Pac-10's most improved player last season after averaging 10.7 points and 9.4 rebounds per game. The 6-foot-10 Vucevic and senior Alex Stepheson form perhaps the league's most formidable starting frontcourt next season, but there's a total lack of depth behind them as a result of Leonard Washington's offseason dismissal.
Since USC will count on Stepheson and Vucevic to play a minimum of 30 to 35 minutes a night this season, the two big men put an emphasis on conditioning while working out this summer. They've also talked about the importance of playing sound defense and avoiding foul trouble, especially the over-the-back calls on the glass that plagued both of them a year ago.
"The officials have agreed they won't call more than three or four fouls on either one of those guys,'' O'Neill joked.
If Vucevic and Stepheson can handle their heavy workload and live up to expectations, it will relieve pressure on a USC backcourt lacking scoring punch until Fordham transfer Jio Fontan becomes eligible for a Dec. 18 showdown with Kansas.
Junior Marcus Simmons is a stifling defender but his offensive game remains raw and undeveloped, while freshmen Bryce Jones and Maurice Jones are both intriguing but unproven. None of them have the pedigree of Fontan, who averaged 15.3 points and 4.7 assists a game as a freshman at Fordham before transferring early in his second season in hopes of playing for a more successful program.
"He's going to be a major part of our team," O'Neill said. "I have great confidence in that guy as a player, a leader and a person, so we couldn't be happier than the day we get him back."
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