USC didn’t need a full-strength lineup to leave Berkeley with a win. Missing Eric Reibe, Christian Collins, and other key pieces - with the Ratliff twins unable to give the Trojans meaningful minutes Wednesday night - USC leaned on defense, rebounding, and toughness to knock off California 77-65.
The Trojans had already opened the week with a hard-fought win over Wichita State, but that one came on the strength of offense. This time, it was the other side of the ball that carried them. USC held Cal to 4-of-23 shooting from 3-point range and controlled the glass by 17 rebounds, turning a shorthanded night into a road victory.
That kind of win says plenty about where Eric Musselman’s team is right now. It’s not a polished group yet, but it is playing with energy and edge. USC competed hard at both ends, and on Wednesday the Trojans’ hunger outweighed the mistakes that come with being short-handed.
Alijah Arenas, Rodney Rice, Jacob Cofie, and KJ Lewis all finished in double figures to lead the way. USC also stayed unbeaten, adding a road win to go with its neutral-court victory.
The Trojans led 39-30 at halftime and finished the job from there, outscoring Cal 38-35 in the second half.
When this roster gets healthier and more reinforcements become available later in the season, USC should have more depth and more ways to beat teams. For now, though, the Trojans are showing they can win ugly, and that matters too.
In Other News...
USC Mens Volleyball Just Added A New Core For What Comes Next
USC mens volleyball is already looking ahead, and the program has added three newcomers to its 2028 freshman class in Logan Hutnick, Will Spalding and Jack Spowal. Head coach Jeff Nygaard welcomed the group with clear enthusiasm, pointing to the athletic profile and experience each player brings as the Trojans continue building around the next wave of talent.
It is a timely addition for a program that has been trying to keep its momentum moving after its recent 2026 season and amid Nygaards own coaching milestones. The early signings give USC a chance to shape its future roster now, and they also underscore how much of the programs next chapter will depend on how quickly this new core develops once it arrives on campus. [Read more 🡒]
Indiana Faces A Huge Availability Question Against USC
USC heads into its matchup with Indiana in unusually good shape, at least by Big Ten standards this season. The Trojans are carrying no new significant injuries, and several key names have either appeared on or come off the report, including safety Trestin Castro and defensive lineman Jahkeem Stewart, giving the roster a cleaner look than it has had in conference play.
Indiana, meanwhile, is dealing with a much trickier availability picture. The Hoosiers will be without starters Joe Brunner and Turbo Richard, even as quarterback Josh Hoover has been cleared off the injury report after dealing with an arm issue. For USC, that kind of contrast matters, because the Trojans are suddenly facing an opponent whose lineup still has a few unresolved questions even after one important return. [Read more 🡒]
Illinois Can Still Shape Oregons Playoff Fate This Weekend
Oregon has steadied itself with recent wins and now sits at 6-3, but the Ducks are still living in the kind of November math that can make or break a season. Their path to the Big Ten Championship Game and the College Football Playoff is not just about taking care of business from here on out. It also depends on a chain of results elsewhere in the conference and beyond, which is why every weekend now carries extra weight.
Illinois is one of the teams that could still swing that picture. The Ducks need help from several other matchups to keep their postseason hopes moving in the right direction, and the ripple effects of those games could be just as important as anything Oregon does on the field. For a team trying to climb into the league race, the scoreboard watching is far from over. [Read more 🡒]