7. USC Trojans
In seemingly typical Eric Musselman fashion, the USC Trojans have not been shy of utilizing the transfer portal to their benefit. USC doesn’t return a minute from last year’s team but has pieced together a roster capable of taking the well-documented year two Musselman jump. Musselman made the NCAA Tournament in his second season at Nevada after a 28-win campaign in 2017. Musselman reached the Elite Eight in his second season at Arkansas in 2021. What will he do in his second season in Los Angeles?
To start, the Trojans landed the high-energy lengthy guard/forward in Auburn transferChad Baker-Mazara, who averaged 12.3 PPG and 3.0 RPG on the Tigers’ Final Four squad last season. They also added Maryland transfer Rodney Rice, who was a three-point sharpshooter on a talented, perimeter-oriented Sweet 16 Terrapins squad last season. Both Rice and Baker-Mazara expect to be the pivotal pieces offensively for the Trojans alongside five-star recruit Alijah Arenas.
Additionally, The Trojans will have no shortage of forwards on their roster, starting with Utah transfer Ezra Ausar, a career 50% or better shooter from the field. Virginia transfer Jacob Coife also enters the mix after showing promising signs of potential as a freshman last season. Shot-blocking big, Gabe Dynes out of Youngstown State, will lead the frontcourt and high-scoring point guard Jordan Marsh (UNC Asheville) will look for playing time in the backcourt.