The USC Trojans basketball program is buzzing with optimism as the 2026‑27 season approaches, marking the third year under head coach Eric Musselman. After three straight seasons outside the NCAA Tournament and a 18‑14 record, the team is determined to shed its under‑the‑radar reputation in the Big Ten and contend for a March Madness berth.
A Strategic Overhaul in the Transfer Portal
The Trojans have turned to the transfer portal to add immediate impact. Former UConn center Eric Reibe, Georgetown guard KJ Lewis and Colgate guard Jalen Cox join a roster that already features returning star Rodney Rice. Each newcomer brings a distinct skill set: Reibe’s size and shot‑blocking, Lewis’s perimeter scoring and playmaking, and Cox’s versatile backcourt presence.
Rice, the team’s top scorer before a season‑ending shoulder injury, is fully expected to return to full health. In the games he did play, he averaged 20.3 points, 6.0 assists and 3.3 rebounds per game. Pairing him with sophomore guard Alijah Arenas, who posted 14.1 points, 2.9 rebounds and 2.1 assists in 14 appearances, could create one of the Big Ten’s most potent backcourts.
The excitement extends to the incoming recruiting class, ranked No. 9 nationally. Five‑star forward Christian Collins, the No. 7 prospect overall, headlines a group that also includes four‑star forward Adonis Ratliff. Both are projected to contribute on offense and defense from day one, adding depth and athleticism.
Defensive anchor Jacob Cofie will continue to patrol the paint, while the collective experience of the new transfers and the upside of the freshmen should lift the team’s overall competitiveness. If the chemistry clicks early, USC could break its tournament drought and make a deep run in the Big Ten tournament.