Just like the USC Trojans football team, the men's basketball team added an embarrassment of riches in its recent offseason. USC became a lot more talented. Eric Musselman will get a great chance to show what he can do this season with one of the deepest rosters in college basketball. I expect big things from this Trojan squad.
Here are my five bold predictions for the USC Trojans men's basketball team this upcoming season:
USC Trojans will have two 20-point scorers
Rodney Rice, prior to getting injured, was an elite scorer. He posted 20.3 points per contest in six games last year for USC. Getting him back was a huge deal for this team. He and Alijah Arenas will make each other better and put each other in a great position to succeed. A backcourt of Arenas and Rice will produce 2 20-point-per-game
scorers. Rice averaged 6 assists a game in his short sample size; I expect him to be a great playmaker who elevates everyone on this team, especially Arenas. Arenas and Rice will both take turns stuffing the stat sheet this season.
USC will be a top-four Big Ten team
The Big Ten had a ton of teams that had success last season, and this conference will once again be one of the best, if not the best, in college basketball. USC finally has the talent to match up with any team in the conference. This is the most stacked roster USC Men's basketball has had in quite some time. Eric Musselman will have great success with this year's talent, and I think this team will be a high seed come tournament time. USC will finish the season as a top-4 team in the Big Ten.
Christian Collins will be a top freshman in the country
Collins is heading into college basketball as the best version of himself as a basketball player. He is extremely versatile, and now he has great shot creation and shooting ability. He will be a player who will be hard to keep off the floor. I expect him to be in the starting lineup when it is time for the postseason. He will have a role on this team, and I think that will put him in a prime position to be one of the most productive freshmen in the country.
USC Trojans will make the Sweet 16
Many Big Ten teams got to the 2nd round and further in the tournament last season. Why not a talented team at USC this season? Anything can happen in the tournament, and there is always one surprise team. The Trojans have depth, elite scorers, and a ton of versatility. On paper, the Trojans can match up with a lot of teams in the country. This season will be a great opportunity for Eric Musselman to show how good of a coach he is. He will lead a talented Trojans squad to the Sweet 16.
Alijah Arenas will be a lottery pick in the next draft
From the beginning, Arenas has been a highly sought prospect. Last season, in February, he showed a hint of what his ceiling looks like as he put up multiple 20-point performances. I think this season he will put it all together and average 20 per contest. His shot-making, playmaking, and winning basketball traits will lead him to a great year. As a result, the Trojans will see great success, and his draft stock will rise massively. Arenas will be the first Trojan since Evan Mobley in the 2021 NBA draft.
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This article originally appeared on Trojans Wire: 5 bold predictions for USC men's basketball as 2026-27 season begins
