USC Trojans Basketball Aims for NCAA Tournament Under Coach Eric Musselman
Dec 21, 2025; Los Angeles, California, USA; USC Trojans head coach Eric Musselman reacts in the first half against the UC Santa Cruz at Galen Center.

Image: Si
The USC Trojans men's basketball team, ranked No. 13 in the latest Fox Sports rankings, is targeting its first NCAA Tournament appearance since 2023 under coach Eric Musselman. Key players include returning guards Rodney Rice and Alijah Arenas, alongside promising transfers Eric Reibe and KJ Lewis.
- 01USC Trojans are currently ranked No. 13 in the Top 25 by Fox Sports.
- 02The team finished the 2025-26 season with an 18-14 record and has not made the NCAA Tournament since 2023.
- 03Rodney Rice averaged 20.3 points per game before a shoulder injury cut his season short.
- 04Alijah Arenas, a five-star recruit, averaged 14.1 points per game as a freshman after overcoming significant injuries.
- 05USC added key transfers, including four-star center Eric Reibe from UConn and guard KJ Lewis from Georgetown.
Advertisement
In-Article Ad
The USC Trojans men's basketball team is looking to secure its first NCAA Tournament berth under head coach Eric Musselman, who is entering his third season. Currently ranked No. 13 in the Fox Sports Top 25, the Trojans finished the previous season with an 18-14 record and have not participated in the NCAA Tournament since 2023. The team features a strong backcourt with returning guards Rodney Rice and Alijah Arenas. Rice, who averaged 20.3 points per game, aims to bounce back from a shoulder injury that cut his last season short. Arenas, a five-star recruit, averaged 14.1 points per game as a freshman after recovering from serious injuries. USC also bolstered its roster through the transfer portal, bringing in four-star center Eric Reibe and guard KJ Lewis, who averaged 14.9 points per game at Georgetown. With the NCAA Tournament expanding from 68 to 76 teams, USC's chances of making the tournament appear promising as they aim for a successful season.
Advertisement
In-Article Ad
The success of the USC Trojans in the upcoming season could boost local interest in college basketball and enhance community support for the team.
Advertisement
In-Article Ad
Reader Poll
What are your expectations for the USC Trojans this season?
Connecting to poll...
More about USC Trojans
Read the original article
Visit the source for the complete story.








