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.
Weight gains
Dwight Lewis says he added 15 pounds and Keith Wilkinson says he added 10 pounds in offseason weight-lifting.
``We came in last year as freshmen, kind of small and not really muscular,'' Lewis said. ``But now we're growing and can't really get pushed around anymore.''
Floyd said the improved strength of the returning players is what stood out in the first days of practice.
``Anyone who's lifted will tell you that it helps in terms of ability to finish (around the basket), ability to hold their ground in the post and stamina,'' Floyd said.