Home / Sports / Injured Star Returns: USC Hoops Eyes Big Ten Title
Injured Star Returns: USC Hoops Eyes Big Ten Title
18 Jul
Summary
- Rodney Rice aims for Final Four in his second USC season.
- USC added transfers KJ Lewis and Eric Reibe for the upcoming season.
- Jon Rothstein ranks USC fourth in the Big Ten conference.
Rodney Rice, a key player for the USC Trojans, is entering his second season with the team after transferring in 2025. Rice had a strong start in his first six games, averaging 20.3 points per game and leading USC to a 6-0 record, including a tournament win. However, a season-ending shoulder injury cut his 2025 campaign short, and USC finished with an 18-14 record.
Now healthy and looking towards the upcoming season, Rice has expressed ambitious goals, stating, "I think we can be great. I want to make the Final Four." He also aims to win the Big Ten conference title. The Trojans have been active in the transfer portal, adding four-star guard KJ Lewis from Georgetown and 7-1 center Eric Reibe from UConn.
Jon Rothstein of CBS Sports has USC ranked as the No. 4 team in the Big Ten conference for the upcoming season. This ranking represents a significant potential improvement for the Trojans, who have struggled in conference play over their first two seasons in the Big Ten, finishing tied for 12th place in both 2024-25 and 2025-26.
