This recent marriage between USC and Eric Musselman hasn’t exactly produced the results that some were expecting in the college basketball world. Musselman was responsible for a myriad of success in his previous gigs at Nevada and Arkansas and now is back home in California, tasked with making the Trojans into Big Ten contenders. After two seasons it’s still a work in progress.
While the record improved last season, an 18-14 season produced another 12th place finish in the Big Ten standings, with USC little more than an afterthought in the conference race. There were certainly issues with last year’s team, both with injures and off-court issues, but it was still a disappointment. However, Musselman and company are hoping this year is a step in the right direction.
Some offseason changes
With that being said, USC does shed some notable names from last season’s roster, with Chad Baker-Mazara officially gone while other veterans like Ezra Ausar and Kam Woods are also gone. However, the Trojans will be healthier this season, have a few important returning pieces, and added a boatload of talent through various means in the offseason.
Those problems that plagued last season could certainly come up again, aside from Baker-Mazara’s off-court decision-making, but this USC team is very deep and very talented. They’re still dealing with the issues of the Big Ten, being thousands of miles from a majority of the conference, but Musselman and his crew have to work around that if they’re going to prove that they can make noise on the national level.
Projected Starters
Guard – Rodney Rice (Senior)
One of the biggest things that went wrong last season for USC was losing Rice to injury after just six contests. A former starter in the conference at Maryland, Rice put up 20.3 points and 6.0 assists during that brief run with the Trojans and should be a monumental part of the offense back healthy again this season. Expect big things from him in all aspects of the game.
Guard – KJ Lewis (Senior)
This is school number three for Lewis and he’s hoping he’s found the right landing spot for the end of his collegiate career. A former bench player for Arizona, he performed quite well as a starter for Georgetown last year, earning Third Team All-Big East honors with 14.9 points, 5.1 rebounds, and 2.5 assists per game. He’s a former Top 100 prospect known far more for his slashing and mid-range than his outside shooting but he’s hoping to be a more complete player with the Trojans.
Guard – Alijah Arenas (Sophomore)
A meniscus injury forced Arenas’ highly-anticipated collegiate debut to wait until late January last season, and the former Top 30 recruit is looking forward to a healthier second season. He still managed 14.1 points and 2.9 rebounds as a starter for USC across 14 games and could be in line to take a leap forward with a full and healthy offseason in his system.
Forward – Jacob Cofie (Junior)
Cofie did solid work in his freshman campaign at Virginia, but the 6-10 forward from Seattle performed a bit better when transferring to USC last offseason. The former 4-star prospect started all season long for the Trojans, averaging 9.9 points, 6.8 rebounds, and 1.8 blocks with decent shooting and defensive metrics. Given another full season in Los Angeles, he could be a major factor for this team’s rise to prominence.
Center – Eric Reibe (Sophomore)
A 7-1 center from Germany, Reibe was a major addition for UConn last offseason, though the freshman’s shot was just as a reserve in a talented frontcourt. He averaged 5.9 points and 3.3 rebounds across an eventful season that ended in the national title game and now he’s looking to realize his potential with the Trojans. His condition remains up in the air after a foot injury late in the summer, but when healthy on the court he can be one of the best big men in the Big Ten.
Key Reserves
Forward – Adonis Ratliff (Freshman)
There’s a lot to like about what Ratliff and his twin brother bring to USC as freshmen. Adonis is a 6-11 forward who’s considered a bit more mobile and skillful, with long-range shooting ability alongside his potential inside the arc. His length and mobility make him an intriguing piece for this frontcourt depth right away.
Guard – Isaac Bruns (Senior)
It’s hard to argue with pure statistics and they show that Bruns is a fantastic scorer and playmaker who’ll be a key asset off the bench in this backcourt. He spent his first three seasons at South Dakota and blossomed into one of the Summit League’s best offensive players, averaging 20.8 points and 5.1 rebounds across a shortened season thanks to a foot injury back in January. Now healthy, expect this great shooter to get chances from the USC bench.
Forward – Christian Collins (Freshman)
Landing a Top 10 national prospect is always a big win for a coaching staff, with Collins hoping to earn a major role immediately with the Trojans. A 6-8 small forward from Charlotte, he’s an athletic scorer who can get the ball in the basket in a plethora of ways, with his jumper and finishing ability inside the arc. He’s a name that basketball fans may soon know, with NBA potential on the near horizon as well.
Guard – Jalen Cox (Senior)
A native of Los Angeles, Cox comes back home after spending his first three seasons out east at Colgate, developing into one of the best point guards in the Patriot League. This past year saw him average 17.9 points, 5.2 rebounds, and 5.3 assists, earning several league honors. Cox brings experienced depth at the point and is fantastic with and without the ball, showing flashy athleticism and that ability on defense.
Center – Darius Ratliff (Freshman)
A 7-footer and another 4-star recruit, Ratliff is just as talented and imposing as his twin brother but with even more physicality. He’s the stronger of the twins and is not just a smart physical player but someone who could develop into an elite shot blocker who can also hit outside shots.
Guard – Jadis Jones (Junior)
You may not have heard his name before this season, but Jones quietly did very solid work as an underclassman at Lindenwood. A 6-5 wing from Missouri, he put up 15.3 points, 8.5 rebounds, and 2.6 assists while leading the OVC in field goal percentage. It’s uncertain how that production will translate into a smaller role in the Big Ten, but Jones is a hard worker whose hustle and physicality will impress.
Forward – Joshua Hughes (Senior)
The Trojans added more frontcourt depth from the portal too in landing Hughes after three years with Evansville. The 6-10 forward from Australia was a starter for the Purple Aces these last two seasons, including 9.3 points and 4.7 rebounds per game last year. The Trojans love his size and that he can hit outside shots; there’ll be some sort of role from him despite all the other talent at forward.
Guard – Aaron Hunkin-Claytor (Junior)
More backcourt depth comes as USC grabs Hunkin-Claytor, another player limited by injuries last season. The 6-2 guard from Wahiawa spent his first two seasons playing for Hawaii, averaging 6.0 points and 3.9 assists across just 17 games as a sophomore. How much run he gets with the Trojans is uncertain, but he’s very underrated as an intelligent facilitator and defender.
Schedule Outlook
There isn’t a ton of drama in USC’s nonconference schedule, though that doesn’t mean there aren’t intriguing matchups. November 8th brings a neutral-site game in Nevada against Wichita State while the Trojans play at California a few days later, seeing their former Pac-12 rivals again. After a slew of home games, USC takes the short trip for the Acrisure Series, where that Thanksgiving week event gives them South Carolina and Utah State.
The Big Ten then has that brief two-game preview, though USC’s two opponents are two of their west coast rivals. They do have a true road test at San Diego on December 8th, but the last notable nonconference matchup comes just a few days later, facing Texas Tech in Fort Worth. Big Ten play and a ton of travel then begins in earnest at the end of the month.
That travel is no joke, as the Trojans have four straight road games to begin Big Ten play starting off with Purdue on December 30th. However, they host the Michigan schools and have a front-loaded road schedule, as they won’t be east of the Mississippi again after January ends. The Trojans’ two games against rival UCLA are late in the season, including the regular season finale on March 6th.
Season Outlook
Nobody is going to make any excuses for USC basketball, but it’s fair to wonder what could have been with these recent seasons. Last year’s team was talented; they just dealt with injuries, issues, and couldn’t quite find their fitting in a difficult league. This time around, USC has even more talent, more experience, and look to play the part of a real contender now in year three under Musselman’s leadership.
The backcourt forms a big story after Rice’s absence sunk USC’s hopes last season. If he’s healthy and playing at a high level then the Trojans are in great shape. Pairing him with Lewis gives them a formidable 1-2 punch at guard while surrounded by all of these pieces in the frontcourt. We can’t ignore what some of these other additions like Cox or Hunkin-Claytor could bring when out there either, as the depth is really improved this year.
Reibe’s health is a concern before the season even begins, but having three elite freshmen certainly helps bolster this frontcourt. Collins can play significant minutes at the 4 and allow Cofie to be a more traditional big man if necessary. We also can’t ignore what the Ratliff twins bring, both with their inside presence and as traditional shooters as well.
When you throw everything together you get a roster that’s filled with potential and fewer question marks than in recent years. At perfect health, USC has the talent to absolutely contend with the better teams in the Big Ten, though we’ll see what version we’ll get out of players like Rice, Cofie, and Arenas. It’ll also be important to see how USC handles all of that travel in January and if Reibe can get into this lineup and be an impact player.
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