16. USC (4-1)
Another addition to the Big Ten in the offseason, USC also enters a brand new era with their program, with Eric Musselman replacing Andy Enfield as head coach. The Trojans had their share of success in recent years, including an Elite Eight run back in 2021, but last year was a disappointment. The change brings one of the best rising names in the college basketball coaching world to Los Angeles right as they attempt this adjustment to a new league.
The aforementioned adjustment will take time, though the Trojans have had five home games to start the year and haven’t been particularly challenged. The defense has had some off nights, including giving up 95 points in a win over UT Arlington. The lone loss on the early docket came against former league rival California in a game that USC certainly could’ve won last weekend.
Getting Terrance Williams healthy and on the court helps, with USC also leaning on new pieces like Desmond Claude and Wesley Yates for major roles. Those two are both underclassmen and will continue to grow in Musselman’s system, it’s just that the early returns are a little underwhelming. We’ll see what happens once the Trojans leave LA and are further challenged, but they’re inconsistent and don’t rebound and have already dropped one winnable game at home.