A Revamped Trojan Squad
The University of Southern California men's basketball program endured a disappointing 2025‑26 season, finishing well below expectations and sparking intense scrutiny of the coaching staff.
Entering the 2026‑27 campaign, the Trojans have undertaken a sweeping roster upgrade that blends seasoned transfers with a wave of promising newcomers, a move that Coach Eric Musselman believes can restore the program's former glory.
Musselman, now in his third year at USC after arriving from Arkansas two seasons ago, has assembled a lineup that features veteran players such as Rodney Rice, KJ Lewis and Jacob Cofie, while also counting on sophomores Alijah Arenas and Eric Reibe to provide additional depth.
The coaching staff has also brought in highly touted freshmen Christian Collins, Adonis Ratliff and Darius Ratliff, each of whom arrived on campus after a period of intense summer practices designed to accelerate their integration into the team's system.
The excitement surrounding the new roster is palpable, as analysts and fans alike anticipate that the combination of experience and fresh talent could propel the Trojans back into contention within the Pac‑12 and beyond.
While the full schedule has yet to be released, officials have indicated that the season will open in early November, with conference play slated to begin in December, giving the team a compressed but intense preparation window.
As the university finalizes its lineup and releases the official schedule in the coming months, the buzz among the USC community suggests that the 2026‑27 season could mark a decisive turnaround for the program.