USC's men's basketball team closed out their 2025-2026 regular season over the weekend, and now they're gearing up for the Big Ten Tournament in Chicago. But before they hit the court, the Big Ten released its all-conference honors, and the Trojans were notably absent from the list.
While it's not entirely unexpected, the lack of recognition highlights the challenges USC faced this season. Rodney Rice, one of their standout players, was sidelined after just six games due to a season-ending injury.
Chad Baker-Mazara, another key player, is no longer with the team. Their promising freshman, Alijah Arenas, also spent much of the year off the court.
USC's absence from the honors is a reflection of their tough season finish. The Trojans lost their last six games, a slump that turned a hopeful NCAA Tournament bid into a 7-13 record in Big Ten play.
Unless they pull off a miraculous run in the Big Ten Tournament, this season will likely be remembered as a major disappointment for USC. Missing out on all-conference accolades is just the final touch on a challenging year.