B1G Basketball Previews 2026: USC Trojans

Last Season

Eric Musselman's first season in Los Angeles and the Big Ten conference went poorly. The Trojans were an inconsistent bunch that had moments in the sun (wins over Michigan State and at Illinois), but routinely struggled to defend are were humiliated multiple times. In the end a 17-18 (7-13) season ended with a second round loss in The Crown.

Defectors

Muss doesn't keep players (or assistants around very long so prepare yourself for the long list)

• The starting backcourt of Desmond Claude and Wesley Yates III have ditched their red uniforms for the purple ones of Washington.
• Rashaun Agee (the Trojans best rebounder last season) is off to Texas A&M.
• Isaiah Elohim (FAU), Kevin Patton Jr. (New Mexico), and Jalen Shelley (Loyola Marymount) also departed.
• Saint Thomas finished his college career and signed as an undrafted free agent with the 76ers without ever playing for St. Thomas (MN).
• Eligibility limits also came Matt Knowling, Bryce Pope, Chibuzo Agbo, and Clark Slajchert.

Starters

I'm not sure why I'm listing positions since Musselman plays positionless basketball, but here we go.

• PG Jerry Easter II, 6'5", Freshman. Easter is a 4 star recruit and top 50 prospect. He's an excellent shooter and while the plan probably wasn't for him to start immediately. USC pulled him out of Toledo, Ohio.
• SG Rodney Rice, 6'5", Junior. Old Terrapin Rice did not follow his former coach to Villanova, but instead headed out west in search of new opportunities. Rice broke out in a big way for Maryland last season becoming an effective member of the Crab 5. He's currently dealing with a shoulder injury that may see him miss the start of the season.
• SF Chad Baker-Mazara, 6'7", Senior. Baker-Mazara apparently knew about Bruce Pearl's impending retirement before everyone else and bailed on Auburn after helping them reach the Final Four. Baker-Mazara is a good shooter and the ideal Musselman player: a long, lengthy wing with athleticism and skill.
• PF Terrance Williams II, 6'7", Senior. Williams missed most of last season with a wrist injury but is a solid forward. He's the lonely returner from last season's USC squad.
• C Ezra Ausar, 6'9", Senior. Ausar comes over from Utah after leading the Utes in scoring and rebounding. He's started both exhibitions but played only 11 minutes in each.

Bench

• Jordan Marsh, 5'11" Junior. Marsh (formerly UNC Asheville) is shorter than Musselman likes and doesn't play into what the Trojans want to do defensively. That said, Marsh is still a bucket and the only true point guard on the roster.
• Jacob Cofie, 6'10", Sophomore. Cofie was a solid rotation piece for Virginia last year but needs to shoot less threes (24% on 41 attempts).
• Amarion Dickerson, 6'7", Senior. Dickinson (Robert Morris) was an All-Horizon second team pick and the conference's defensive player of the year. Expect him to be a part of the wing rotation as he fits what Muss wants to do.
• Gabe Dynes, 7'5" Junior. Dynes also comes from the Horizon League (Youngstown State) after leading Division 1 in blocked shots. Dynes has had moments as a low post scorer, but struggles to stay out of foul trouble.
• Jaden Brownell, 6'10", Senior. Brownell (Samford) is a taller forward for Muss to plug and play into his lineup. He's the best three point shooter on this roster.
• Ryan Cornish, 6'5", Senior. Cornish (Dartmouth) was an effective three point shooter last year in the Ivy League shooting better than 37% from three while averaging 17 points/game. He's comfortable having the offense run thru him but won't be asked to do so at USC. Based on the exhibition games, Cornish appears to be at the bottom of the roster's depth chart.
• EJ Neal Jr., 6'5", Senior. Neal comes over from Sacramento State. He was a 33% outside shooter last season on a bad Hornets team. Like Cornish he appears to a deep reserve.
• Alijah Arenas was supposed to be a starter from day 1. The five star recruit has had a mess of a summer. First he survived the death trap that is a Tesla Cybertruck in April and in July he suffered a knee injury. It's a rough start to his college career as Arenas is not expected to play this season.

Outlook

It looks like a typical Musselman roster. Lots of new pieces, some exciting athleticism and talent, but real question marks on whether the defense will gel or the interior can hold up. When it all comes together, Musselman's roster construction will look like an art form. Five out positionless basketball that can switch everything on defense if they want to. When it doesn't... the flaws are evident to everyone watching.