USC Trojans open season ranked No. 21

The USC men’s basketball team opens its 2026-27 season on Monday, November 2, at 7:30 p.m. at the Galen Center. The Trojans will host the Milwaukee Panthers in a matchup that serves as the launchpad for a squad currently ranked No. 21 in the AP Top 25 preseason poll. This standing follows a previous season in which the team finished 12th in the Big Ten conference standings.

Head coach Eric Musselman cited the continuity of the roster as the primary factor behind the team’s early confidence. He noted that three key players return from last year’s group: 6-foot-5 guard Rodney Rice, 6-foot-7 guard Alijah Arenas, and 6-foot-10 forward Jacob Cofie. Musselman stated that these three athletes have established the foundational tone for the program.

The roster has also expanded with three freshmen who were McDonald’s All-Americans. The group includes Christian Collins and twins Adonis and Darius Ratliff. Adonis Ratliff, who stands 6-foot-11, and Darius Ratliff, who stands 7-foot, have already integrated into the starting lineup. Darius posted 27 points and 16 rebounds across three exhibition starts, while Adonis recorded eight points and six rebounds in two starts.

Arenas is attempting to overcome a difficult freshman year that was marred by a torn meniscus and a serious car accident in April 2025. The incident resulted in a six-day hospitalization due to smoke inhalation. His shooting percentages last season fell short of the expectations placed on a five-star recruit, as he shot 34.1% from the field and 21.3% from beyond the arc. Arenas credited Rice and Musselman with helping him regain his confidence during the offseason.

Depth creates a challenge for the coaching staff in determining playing time. The team possesses six players who are 6-foot-10 or taller. This length offers a strategic alternative to the physicality that defined the previous season, when USC averaged 18.8 points per game from the free-throw line. Musselman acknowledged that the current rotation is young and that the team is still developing its physical edge.

Two players are currently managing foot injuries, which may affect their availability early in the season. 7-foot-1 center Eric Reibe is recovering from surgery and is expected to return in January. Freshman forward Christian Collins, who stands 6-foot-9, is also dealing with a foot issue, though his specific return timeline has not been determined.

The Trojans will face the Milwaukee Panthers in the season opener. The game will be broadcast on Big Ten Plus and available for radio listening via USCTrojans.com. The team will look to translate the exhibition momentum from the Ratliff twins and the returning core into regular-season results.