Matthew Kredell broke into the Daily News in 1998, working part time
at the paper while going to USC. The basketball team’s Elite Eight
run in 2000-01 was USC’s athletic highlight in his time at the
school, when the football team was stuck in the Paul Hackett-era.
After graduating in 2001, he started writing for the Daily News full
time. He’s in his second year covering USC, which coincides with the
rise of the program. He’ll take credit for the success, though Tim
Floyd may have more to do with it. A third-generation Los Angelean,
he grew up reading the Daily News while at El Camino Real High School
in Woodland Hills.
End-of-season note
This USC team was a pleasure to cover for my first full season on a college beat. The main players really are good guys to deal with, not at all jaded like some standout athletes become. It will be interesting to see how the team dynamic changes next season with Mayo, Jefferson and the other newcomers. You could see how much veterans Nick Young, Gabe Pruitt and Lodrick Stewart enjoyed this season after the struggles they went through early in their college years, and that made the Sweet 16 run fun to follow. Thanks to all the readers for helping to make this blog a success. The offseason will have some interesting plot lines with Young and Pruitt, whether they turn professional or return for their senior years. Check back every so often and I'll have offseason notes when anything comes up.
Comments
Thanks Matthew for the excellent coverage. I look forward to the offseason tidbits. I have been following and supporting the program very closely for over 30 years. This was certainly the most exciting of all based on expectations and what this team has gone thru. It was a true treat to be able to be in the Doubletree (of Spokane) lobby to welcome the boys back after the Arkansas win last Friday night. What a group of humble, non egotistical and truly classy young men. A real mirror image of their head coach. Wish next season began tomorrow.... What a bright future for this program. Of course, I would be extremely remiss if I did not acknowledge the great Tim Floyd for all he has done in such a short period of time. The national media coverage this team has received over the last 2 weeks should go a long way in putting us on the preseason map for '07-'08.
Posted by: td4troy | March 24, 2007 9:49 PM
Great inaugural season for the blog. Thanks for the insiders perspective on the program. Coach Floyd is just getting started and USC should be among the P-10 leaders next year with a solid recruiting class coming in.
Posted by: justahoopfan | March 25, 2007 10:07 AM
Thank you for all of your hard work and insight ,Matthew. It was a pleasure reading your blog and getting updates that were accurate, and not jaded, like your counterpart on the football side. All of us Trojans appreciate your efforts, and are already looking forward to next years blog.
Posted by: PHIL NEIMAN | March 25, 2007 12:13 PM
Thanks Matt! I've really enjoyed your blog and am looking forward to even a better year. Fight On!
Posted by: scdog | March 25, 2007 5:13 PM
Haven't misssed a day since you started your blog. Well written and well thought out. Unlike some at your newspaper, you report the news instead of trying to manufacture it. Great job...keep up the good work!
Posted by: uschoopnut | March 25, 2007 11:05 PM
Thanks for keeping us up to date Matt. The season was truly exctiting. I'm so happy for the upperclassmen ... getting an opportunity to enjoy success after what they have been through.
Fight On!
Posted by: VoteLibertarian | March 26, 2007 10:06 AM
Couldn't agree more with what everyone has said. Your blog was extremely professional and with all the mud slinging of your counterpart on the football site. Can't wait til next season and more of your excellent coverage.
FIGHT ON
Posted by: Matt | March 27, 2007 4:58 PM
Matt,
I said it before, but I guess I should say it here too. Excellent job on the blog. I happen to like your and Wolf's blog, so I'll let others provide the negative commentary.
Hopefully, the Daily News will put a link to this on their sports page (or at least the USC page) next season. If not, I'll just keep posting it in Wolf's Blog.
Posted by: 66-19
|
March 29, 2007 12:59 PM
66-19
AKA Floyd is my hero. How did your blog know 66-19? Weird.
Posted by: 66-19
|
March 29, 2007 1:01 PM
Thanks Matt. You did a great job!
Keep up the good work and I look forward to your future contributions.
FIGHT ON!!!!!!!!!!
Posted by: GroovieTrojan | March 29, 2007 5:48 PM