No. 17 USC Trojans
Alijah Arenas – 5 star- #12 nationally
Jerry Easter- 4 star- #42 nationally
Head coach Eric Musselman took the job at USC to build the program to an annual NCAA tournament contender. The Trojans took a step forward last year by making the College Basketball Crown. Musselman has his first full offseason as the head coach of the Trojans and has brought in a fantastic recruiting class.
Arenas was set to make a huge impact and was a likely lottery pick. It would be surprising if Arenas played much this season, given that he was in a serious car accident about a month ago. Easter is a perfect player to play in the Musselman system. He gets to the rim on almost every possession and is a streaky shooter. Easter will have a considerable impact, and if Arenas plays, he has a chance to be the best freshman in the Big 10.
No. 16 Cincinnati Bearcats
Shon Abaev – 4 star - #27 nationally
Keyshaun Tillery – 4 star- # 57 nationally
Head coach Wes Miller is known for his defense and his ability to turn games into a sloppy defensive battle. The Bearcats have also had a lot of shooters and extremely athletic players. The Bearcats took a preseason ranking in 2024-2025 and limped to a disappointing 19-16 finish and early exit in the College Basketball Crown. The Bearcats were gutted in the transfer portal, leaving any capable players in line to get minutes.
Abaev has a lottery pick ceiling and is a sneaky pick for the Big 12 Freshman of the Year. He can score, and if Coach Miller can help him become a better rebounder and passer, he has a tremendously high ceiling. Tillery is a pass-first point guard who plays as fast as possible on both ends of the floor and makes plays. He is only 5'11", but he can still be a capable scorer and shooter from deep.