USC Trojans Basketball 2026-27 Season Preview

It’s a new year for the USC Trojans. After a quick start in 2025-26 that included a Maui Invitational title, the Trojans stumbled to an 18-14 season, with a 7-13 Big Ten record.

Injuries, including to star freshman Alijah Arenas, and the mid-season dismissal of Chad Baker-Mazura certainly didn’t help the team’s cause last season. Now, with a healthy Arenas, plus a massive incoming class of talent from both the transfer portal and the high school ranks. USC and Coach Eric Musselman are thinking Big Ten Championship.

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Time to see if the hype is real as we take a look at the 2026-27 Season Preview for the USC Trojans.

Dec 21, 2025; Los Angeles, California, USA; USC Trojans guard Alijah Arenas (0) warms up before the game against the UC Santa Cruz Banana Slugs at Galen Center. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images

Trojans Roster Makeup

Arenas was limited to just 14 games last season, but in those games, he made an impact, starting 13 of them. Arenas showcased his natural scoring ability, averaging 14.1 points per game. It included a three-game stretch where he scored 24 or more points.

Arenas will have plenty of help in 2026-27, as the Trojans added the twin sons of former NBA player Theo Ratliff to the roster this offseason. Adonis Ratliff is a 6-foot-11 forward, while Darius Ratliff is a true seven-footer. The pair of McDonald’s All-Americans were great additions from the high school ranks.

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The Ratliff twins will blend in well with other key returning players. Jacob Cofie is back for a second year with the Trojans after transferring in last season.

Rodney Rice is also healthy this season and will be Arenas’ backcourt mate. Transfers KJ Lewis and Eric Reibe will also make a difference on this team, as will another huge freshman, Christian Collins. USC got younger and better this season, and it should pay off well for the Trojans.

Returners: Arenas, Cofie, and Rice.

Newcomers: Ratliff, Isaac Bruns, Ratliff, Jalen Cox, Lewis, Jadis Jones, Reibe, Joshua…

Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/usc-trojans-basketball-2026-27-110043213.html

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Publish date : 2026-10-18 11:00:00

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