USC men’s basketball is opening the 2026-27 season with a number next to its name in the preseason AP Top 25 for the first time under Eric Musselman.
The Associated Press slotted the Trojans at No. 21 in Monday’s preseason rankings, marking the 14th preseason appearance in AP poll history for USC. The Trojans drew support from 22 of the 39 voters, with one ballot as high as No.
- Their most common landing spot was No. 17, where seven media members placed them.
There’s a real sense of movement around this roster. USC brings back Rodney Rice, Alijah Arenas and Jacob Cofie, then layers in help from the transfer portal and a few high school prospects who could matter later in the season.
The bigger question hanging over camp, though, is health. With several players sidelined by injuries during training camp, availability is once again something the Trojans will have to manage.
Before the games start counting, USC has already tested itself twice on the road. The Trojans split exhibition games against North Carolina and UC San Diego, then head to another tune-up Friday at San Diego State at 7 p.m. PDT.
The schedule ahead gives USC some room to build momentum. The cardinal and gold have a manageable home slate, a few tougher road trips, and a non-conference test in Fort Worth against No.
19 Texas Tech. There are also several tournament games in the state that, on paper, should be there for the taking.
Within the Big Ten, Michigan checked in at No. 16 and UCLA came in just behind USC at No. 22. Nebraska, Purdue, Ohio State, Iowa and Indiana all received votes but fell short of the top 25.
In Other News...
USC Suddenly Has A Bigger UCLA Problem Than Expected
UCLAs 17-7 win over Wisconsin gave USC a little more to think about on both sides of the ball. The Bruins leaned on backup quarterback Ty Dieffenbach in his first start, and he responded by throwing for more than 250 yards while UCLA controlled the ball and kept Wisconsin from finding much rhythm. Even with the running game largely checked, the Bruins found enough balance to stay in command and come out of Week 7 with a result that should matter in Los Angeles.
For USC, the bigger concern is what that performance says about the road ahead. Wisconsins defense showed it can clog up a ground attack, but UCLA still found answers through the air and sustained drives, which makes the Bruins a tougher matchup than the matchup might have looked a week ago. With USC facing both teams down the line, the Trojans now have to prepare for a Wisconsin defense that can force a team to earn every yard and a UCLA offense that just proved it can adapt when the run game is taken away. [Read more 🡒]
USC's Prime-Time Ohio State Test Just Got Even More Intriguing
USCs late-season run is about to live under the lights, with five straight prime-time games on NBC giving the Trojans an unusual showcase stretch. The centerpiece arrives on Oct. 31 at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, when No. 3 Ohio State comes to town in what already looked like one of the biggest games on USCs schedule. Between Wisconsin, Indiana, Maryland and UCLA on the slate around it, this is the kind of sequence that can shape both the Big Ten race and the national conversation around the Trojans.
The matchup with Ohio State has only gotten more complicated for the Buckeyes, too, as starting quarterback Julian Sayin is likely to miss the game because of injury. USC still has plenty to sort out before then, and the prime-time window means every step of the next few weeks will be watched closely. But with a marquee opponent now facing a major question under center, the Trojans suddenly have an even more intriguing path into Halloween. [Read more 🡒]
Ohio State's USC Trip Just Got Bigger With One Buckeye Twist
The Big Ten spotlight keeps growing around USCs Halloween showdown with Ohio State, with the schools announcing a 4:30 p.m. PT kickoff for Oct. 31 at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. The No. 16 Trojans are set to meet the No. 3 Buckeyes in a game that will be shown on NBC and Peacock, giving the network a fourth trip to the Coliseum this season and adding another prime-time feel to a matchup already carrying plenty of national weight.
Ohio States side of the story has taken on a different look, too, with Luke Fahey expected to start at quarterback because of Julian Sayins injury. That wrinkle only adds to the intrigue for USC, which will get a chance to test itself against one of the sports biggest brands in a game that has also sparked talk of a possible ESPN College GameDay visit. [Read more 🡒]