The USC men’s basketball team will host “Midnight Madness” at the Galen Center on Friday (Oct. 12) at 9 p.m. as the teams celebrate the beginning of practice for the 2007-08 seasons. Included in the festivities will be the introductions of the teams by men’s head coach Tim Floyd, a 10-minute scrimmage, prize giveaways, a basketball fanfest, two-ball challenge, a dunk contest, a fan shooting contest and much, much more!

USC’s top-ranked recruiting class is highlighted by the electric O.J. Mayo, rated the top incoming freshman by several rating services. Joining him will be forward Davon Jefferson, center Mamadou Diarra and guards James Dunleavy, Angelo Johnson and Marcus Simmons.

SportingNews writer Mike DeCourcy has more rankings as he ranks the top Player of the Year candidates. USC’s O.J. Mayo is ranked #9 with Chris Loften of Tennessee as the front runner.

Try to ignore him. It’s hard to do

SportingNews writer Mike DeCourcy ranks the top 10 point guards in the nation. USC’s O.J. Mayo is ranked #2 just behind Texas’ D.J. Augustin.

Part of me believes he’ll flirt with averaging 20 points and make USC a serious contender for the Pac-10 title. The other part believes he’ll flirt with averaging 20 points.

Mayo was ranked ahead of the likes of Derrick Rose, Ty Lawson, and Darren Collison.

If you are a frequent visitor to the site, you may remember a story earlier this summer where we wrote about O.J. Mayo playing in the Real Run Summer League. Check out a video with highlights featuring O.J. Mayo doing what he does best against some pros, college and highschool players.

Gary Parrish from CBSSports.com ranks O.J. Mayo #7 of the top Points and combos in the country although he notes he may end up to be the most successful of the group. Derrick Rose from Memphis tops the list.

Regardless of your opinion on Mayo and the circus that was his high school career, there is no denying he is immensely talented. Truth is, Mayo could prove to be the best of this group if he manages to stay out of his own way, avoid trouble and play within a system.