2026-27 Big Ten offseason at a glance: USC Trojans

Welcome to “Big Ten offseason at a glance,” a team-by-team look at the conference at the start of the summer. We’ll examine roster movement for each Big Ten roster and give an early outlook for each Big Ten program for the 2026-27 season.

Up next: USC (18-14 overall in 2025-26, 7-13 in Big Ten play)

Previously: Penn State, Rutgers, Minnesota, Northwestern, Washington, Wisconsin, Iowa, Maryland, Oregon, Purdue

Injuries and inconsistency defined year two of Eric Musselman’s tenure at USC and it was a tale of two halves.

To begin the season, the Trojans were 18-6 and comfortably in the NCAA tournament picture. But Musselman’s team went into a tailspin, finishing the season on an eight-game losing streak and missing The Big Dance for a second straight season.

In the nonconference slate, the Trojans won the Maui Invitational with wins against Boise State, Seton Hall and Arizona State. In the conference slate, USC only beat one Big Ten team that made the NCAA tournament, Wisconsin. The Trojans had a 1-9 record against Big Ten teams that participated in March Madness.

Part of the issue was health. Starting guard Rodney Rice only played six games. Breakout freshman star Alijah Arenas only played 14. Veteran forward Chad Baker-Mazara missed important time as well and eventually left the team near the end of the season.

The Trojans made a step up from their 17-18 campaign in 2024-25. Musselman’s offseason moves aim to take USC another big step in the right direction next winter. The computers expect them to do so. The Trojans are ranked No. 31 in Bart Torvik’s preseason projections thanks to a major roster reload.

USC roster movement

Players returning with eligibility: Rodney Rice, Jacob Cofie, Alijah Arenas

Players departing due to NBA Draft/professional route/out of eligibility: Ryan Cornish, Chad Baker-Mazara, Terrance Williams II, Ezra Ausar, Jaden Brownell

Players who departed via transfer portal: Amarion Dickerson (to Grand Canyon), EJ Neal, Gabe Dynes (to Louisville), Jerry Easter II (to Oregon), Jordan Marsh (to Temple)

Players arriving via transfer portal: KJ Lewis (from Georgetown), Eric Reibe (from UConn), Jalen Cox (from Colgate), Aaron Hunkin-Claytor (from Hawaii), Joshua Hughes (from Evansville), Jadis Jones (from Lindenwood), Isaac Bruns (from South Dakota)

Incoming freshmen: Adonis Ratliff, Darius Ratliff, Christian Collins

What to like about USC

To say USC reloaded would be a major understatement. To start, the Trojans return both Rice and Arenas, who combined for over 34 points and eight assists per game last year in limited action. Expect both to be solidified starters all season.

USC also brought in a top-20 transfer class. KJ Lewis, a 6-foot-4 guard from Georgetown who averaged 14.9 points and 5.1 rebounds last season, is the most productive piece coming in. Eric Reibe, a 7-foot-1 sophomore center from UConn, has an extremely high ceiling and will be an excellent piece to man the middle. Four depth pieces and shooters from smaller schools will fill out the roster.

It is the textbook transfer portal approach in the modern age of college basketball. USC should feel great about it.

There is more youth on the way as well. The Trojans are bringing in the No. 7 recruiting class nationally, per 247Sports. Christian Collins, a 6-foot-8 wing who is the No. 9 overall recruit in the class, headlines the group. USC also earned commitments from the Ratliff twins, Adonis and Darius, who are both 6-foot-11, top-30 recruits.

USC has youth, experience, size, speed and depth and the roster has everything it needs to compete in the modern era of college basketball.

What to question with USC

USC has all the elements of a solid team ahead of the 2026-27 season. The questions that can be asked are minor but noteworthy.

Will road travel be a factor?

In both seasons USC has been in the Big Ten, the Trojans have had a road record below .500. A game against Maryland or Rutgers is a completely different affair in Los Angeles than on the East Coast. With the number of new players who have not had consistent coast-to-coast travel, the drop-off in play is worth keeping an eye on.

How much will USC need to rely on its freshmen?

Growing pains are a part of college basketball. As good a freshman class as USC brought in, numbers on paper do not transition directly to production in a Big Ten program. While Collins and the Ratliff twins are expected to produce next season, it may take time for all three to get acclimated.

USC’s outlook for the 2026-27 season

Here’s the USC Big Ten schedule for next season:

Home: Iowa, Michigan, Michigan State, Minnesota, Ohio State, Penn State, Wisconsin

Away: Illinois, Indiana, Maryland, Nebraska, Northwestern, Purdue, Rutgers

Home/Away: Oregon, UCLA, Washington

USC is set up for a big jump in 2026-27. Eric Musselman has a strong roster of players he has chosen to fit his system. There is immense talent and potential. The Trojans need to stay healthy and let their new players shine on the floor.

This was an 18-6 team last season, with on-paper talent that was not on par with the upcoming roster. If Musselman can get his guys to mesh and stay healthy, this is a team to watch in the Big Ten and nationally.

See More: Commentary, 2026-27 Big Ten preview, USC Trojans