DARK HORSE: Trojans' Hoops Looks to Shock the World

Locked On USC Hit - Quick Takes on USC Trojans Football & Basketball · Oct 7, 2026 · 5m

USC basketball enters the 2026-27 season with major preseason hype, national rankings and growing expectations. The USC Trojans are ranked in multiple preseason Top 25 polls, while Rodney Rice has earned preseason All-Big Ten honors.

USC was picked seventh in the Big Ten preseason media poll, while ESPN has the Trojans at No. 12 and other national outlets have them even higher.

That's a significant change from last season, when USC finished 18-14 and missed the NCAA Tournament.

The optimism comes from a roster that looks dramatically different. Rodney Rice is back after his season was cut…