USC is heading back to the Acrisure Series this fall, giving the Trojans another early-season test in a setting they know well.
The men’s basketball program announced it will take part in the event from Nov. 21-26 in Palm Springs, California. It will be USC’s second appearance in the Acrisure Series in the last three seasons, and the Trojans are slated to play two games in the event, including a home matchup at the Galen Center against an opponent that has not yet been determined.
The full list of matchups will be released later, but USC already knows the pool of possible opponents: Arizona State, LSU, SMU, South Carolina and Utah State. Of that group, Utah State was the only team to reach the NCAA Tournament last season, where it fell to top-seeded Arizona in the Round of 32, 78-66.
For USC fans, the most eye-catching possibility is probably Arizona State. The Trojans beat the Sun Devils in the Maui Invitational championship game last season, so a rematch would bring a familiar name back into the picture.
USC’s last trip to the Acrisure Series came during the 2024-25 season, when it dropped both games to Saint Mary’s and New Mexico by double digits. This year’s group looks built to put up a much stronger fight.
That’s because the roster around Eric Musselman has changed in a big way. USC finished the 2025-26 season 18-14 overall and 7-13 in Big Ten play, missing the NCAA Tournament for the third straight year. Now entering the 2026-27 season and Musselman’s third year on the job, the Trojans have a better path to getting back in.
Rodney Rice and Alijah Arenas are both set to return, giving USC a backcourt that could be one of the league’s best. Jacob Cofie is also back after a first season in which he averaged 9.9 points, 6.8 rebounds and 1.9 assists while shooting 51.0 percent from the field, and he remains an important part of the Trojans’ perimeter defense.
Musselman has also added help through the transfer portal, bringing in Colgate guard Jalen Cox, Georgetown guard KJ Lewis and UConn center Eric Reibe. Each is expected to play a meaningful role as USC tries to climb in the Big Ten.
The incoming recruiting class adds even more punch. USC is bringing in three McDonald’s All-Americans in five-star forward Christian Collins, center Darius Ratliff and forward Adonis Ratliff, a group that could make an immediate impact.
By the numbers, it’s the strongest recruiting class Musselman has landed at USC so far. Per 247Sports, the Trojans’ 2026 class is ranked No. 8 overall.
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Mike Ekelers early impression only added to the intrigue. USCs new linebackers coach came away from spring practice praising Ilis talent and instincts, the kind of endorsement that tends to get fans thinking beyond the recruiting ranking and toward what comes next. The bigger question now is how quickly he can turn that promise into real value on defense, because for a program trying to build depth and identity at linebacker, the answer could matter sooner than expected. [Read more 🡒]