USC's Promising Ranking Amid Transfer Portal Chaos

The Trojans are ranked No. 17 in the preseason despite losing key players to the transfer portal.

Apr. 10, 2026 at 12:18am

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A fragmented, cubist-style painting depicting the action and movement of a college basketball game, with sharp geometric planes in USC's team colors of red, gold, and navy blue.A conceptual illustration captures the chaotic energy and high-stakes competition of college basketball, as USC looks to break through and return to the NCAA Tournament.Inglewood Today

The 2025-26 college basketball season has come to a close, and the USC Trojans are ranked No. 17 in the preseason Top 25 rankings for the 2026-27 season. Despite the chaos of the transfer portal, the Trojans are returning three of their top five scorers from last season - guard Rodney Rice, guard Alijah Arenas, and forward Jacob Cofie. USC also has the No. 3 ranked recruiting class, headlined by five-star forward Christian Collins and four-star prospects Adonis Ratliff and Darius Ratliff.

Why it matters

USC's high preseason ranking is a promising sign for the program, which has struggled to make the NCAA Tournament in recent years. The Trojans have not made the Big Dance since the 2022-23 season, and head coach Eric Musselman will be looking to lead the team to its first tournament appearance in his tenure. The return of key players and the addition of a highly-touted recruiting class have the Trojans poised to make a run at the NCAA Tournament next season.

The details

The Trojans are returning three of their top five scorers from last season - guard Rodney Rice, guard Alijah Arenas, and forward Jacob Cofie. Rice averaged 20.3 points, 6.0 assists, and 3.0 rebounds per game before suffering a season-ending shoulder injury in late November. Arenas missed the first half of his freshman year recovering from a torn meniscus, but averaged 14.1 points, 2.9 rebounds, and 2.1 assists per game in his 14 games on the court. Cofie averaged 9.9 points and 6.8 rebounds per game. In addition to these returning players, USC has the No. 3 ranked 2026 recruiting class, headlined by five-star forward Christian Collins and four-star prospects Adonis Ratliff and Darius Ratliff.

  • The 2025-26 college basketball season has come to a close.
  • USC Trojans were ranked No. 17 in the preseason Top 25 rankings for the 2026-27 season.
  • Rodney Rice suffered a season-ending shoulder injury in late November 2025.
  • Alijah Arenas missed the first half of his freshman year recovering from a torn meniscus.
  • USC's 2026 recruiting class is ranked No. 3 nationally.

The players

Rodney Rice

A guard who averaged 20.3 points, 6.0 assists, and 3.0 rebounds per game before suffering a season-ending shoulder injury in late November 2025.

Alijah Arenas

A guard who missed the first half of his freshman year recovering from a torn meniscus, but averaged 14.1 points, 2.9 rebounds, and 2.1 assists per game in his 14 games on the court.

Jacob Cofie

A forward who averaged 9.9 points and 6.8 rebounds per game last season.

Christian Collins

A five-star forward who headlines USC's No. 3 ranked 2026 recruiting class.

Adonis Ratliff

A four-star prospect who is part of USC's No. 3 ranked 2026 recruiting class.

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What they’re saying

“The ranking is based on the Trojans returning three of the top five scorers—specifically Rodney Rice, Alijah Arenas, and Jacob Cofie—from a team that finished 18-14.”

— Gary Parrish, College basketball reporter, CBS Sports

“That core will be joined by a recruiting class highlighted by five-star prospect Christian Collins and four-star prospects Adonis Ratliff and Darius Ratliff.”

— Gary Parrish, College basketball reporter, CBS Sports

What’s next

USC will aim to snap its three-year drought without an NCAA Tournament appearance next season, as the Trojans look to make their first Big Dance under head coach Eric Musselman.

The takeaway

Despite the chaos of the transfer portal, USC has managed to retain its core players and add a highly-touted recruiting class, positioning the Trojans as a potential NCAA Tournament team in the 2026-27 season. The return of Rodney Rice, Alijah Arenas, and Jacob Cofie, coupled with the arrival of five-star recruit Christian Collins and four-star prospects Adonis Ratliff and Darius Ratliff, have the Trojans ranked No. 17 in the preseason and poised to make a run at their first tournament appearance since the 2022-23 season.