39. Mississippi State Bulldogs
41. Memphis Tigers
42. McNeese Cowboys
45. VCU Rams
46. Dayton Flyers
47. St Mary’s Gaels
49. UCF Knights
52. Clemson Tigers
53. New Mexico Lobos
58. SMU Mustangs
60. Nevada Wolfpack
61. TCU Horned Frogs
63. Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets
65. Syracuse Orange
68. Iowa Hawkeyes
70. Butler Bulldogs
71. Princeton Tigers
74. Oklahoma Sooners
75. West Virginia Mountaineers
76. Georgia Bulldogs
77. UAB Blazers
80. Missouri Tigers
Welcome back to another edition of our 82 in 72 countdown, and not just any old another edition of our 82 in 72, but today, I get to write and preview one of the two teams I support in college athletics, the USC Trojans! The Muss Bus and the Trojans of USC pull in at number #36 in our college basketball preseason rankings, here’s where our team had them ranked…
| Steven | Maxwell | Kam | Cody |
| 38 | 37 | 21 | 43 |
As a USC supporter for about 20 years now, this is the first time in the team’s history where I legitimately think thirteen different players have a realistic chance at starter-level minutes. Eric Musselman is the main party responsible for this fantastic problem to have. When looking at roster construction, you can never have too much talent in basketball. In USC’s case, I believe that you can never have too many starting-caliber players(and many players much better than that simple label)as well!
When Eric Musselman took the USC job…I was FLOORED…Eric Musselman is my favorite coach in college basketball(I fell in love with the Muss Bus during the 2018 Nevada run). I genuinely believe no coach is more gifted at galvanizing a group to a common cause than Eric Musselman. In Musselman’s career, he has reached the tournament in 75% of his possible chances at both Arkansas and Nevada. He has only failed to reach the Sweet Sixteen in two tournament appearances.
When Eric Musselman took the USC job…He was also behind the eight ball…It is remarkable that with the minimal time Musselman had(along with crafting a staff for this basketball program), he could put together this current roster. Below, in taking a slightly different approach to my other previews, I will outline the fourteen players, from most likely to least likely, to contribute(besides the two freshmen who will be at the end) to USC basketball this season!
Saint Thomas, Gr, Forward, Transfer from Northern Colorado; Saint Thomas could be in the NBA(surely the G League)next fall and should be the best player on this USC basketball team. Thomas averaged 19.7ppg, 9.8rpg, and 4.2apg last season at Northern Colorado and was one of the nation’s leaders in double-doubles. Thomas has phenomenal size for his position at 6′ 7, 220 lbs, and plays with great strength, especially when attacking the rim for buckets or rebounds. In my preseason Big Ten predictions, I had Saint Thomas as a First Team All-Big Ten player this upcoming season…
Desmond Claude, Jr., Guard, Transfer from Xavier: The reigning Big East most improved player, Desmond Claude, made the sophomore leap last season. Last year, Claude upped his scoring numbers by over 12ppg more and proved to be one of the best two-way guards in the Big East. Claude is a talented all-around guard and has the strength, IQ, and offensive ability to make waves in the Big Ten quickly…I expect Claude to be the starting point guard.
Josh Cohen, Gr, Forward, Transfer from UMass: Josh Cohen has plenty of offensive ability in his bag, and Cohen should be the Trojan’s starting big entering the season. Cohen led Umass in scoring last season at 14.9 points per game. Cohen is a threat from everywhere inside the arc, and with this team, he will have an opportunity to continue expanding his game beyond the arc. While a Junior at Saint Francis, he led his team in assists, an interesting playmaking note to add for an intriguing big man.
Terrance Williams, Gr, Guard/Forward, Transfer from Michigan: Another double-digit scoring transfer, Terrance Williams will immediately provide the shooting prowess and toughness on the wing that USC will require as they enter the Big Ten. Williams has four seasons of Big Ten basketball under his belt and has been accustomed to various roles in his career…he is the exact type of player on the wing you covet when entering a new conference as a newly constructed roster. Expect Williams to start alongside Claude and the next player in our preview…
Bryce Pope, Gr, Guard, Transfer from UC San Diego: Bryce Pope has over 100 starts in his college career and over 1,600 career points while being one of the best shooters in all of college basketball. A pure jump shot, Pope poses severe problems for opponents when he gets hot and can string together jumpers to bury the opposition. Bryce Pope is the type of player you love to root for on your team. He plays HARD, and I am thrilled he is taking his talents up north this season; expect plenty of threes from Bryce Pope!
Clark Slajchert, Gr, Guard, Transfer from Penn: Clark Slajchert could very well be the best shooter in the Big Ten this year. Slajchert is a 38% three-point shooter on over 315 career attempts and is also one of the top free-throw shooters in the country. Slajchert averaged eighteen points per game last season while at Penn.
Matt Knowling, Gr, Forward, Transfer from Yale: Matt Knowling has been a first-team All-Ivy League performer and double-digit career scorer in three seasons at Yale. He is a smooth lefty who is a highly efficient player and plays a high-IQ brand of basketball. Knowling can fill various roles for this Trojans team and should see plenty of time on the court this season.
Chibuzo Agbo, Gr, Guard, Transfer from Boise State: Chibuzo Agbo would start on countless teams around the country, and he very well could start for USC! Agbo has averaged over eleven points per game over his last two seasons and was one of the biggest three-point threats in the Mountain West last season. Agbo’s two-way impact should be on display for the Trojans in every game this season.
Rashaun Agee, Gr, Forward, Transfer from Bowling Green: The last of the grad transfers, Rashaun Agee is a tough SOB and a player I am very excited to watch play for Eric Musselman… It seems like a match made in heaven. Agee is hands down the best rebounder on this roster and uses his body effectively to control the paint around him. Agee will be needed for a USC frontcourt that is the ‘thinnest’ area on the roster.
Kevin Patton Jr, So, Guard, Transfer from San Diego: One of the top freshmen in the WCC last season, Kevin Patton Jr provides a platform for USC fans to watch a sophomore leap up close. Patton might be the most physically gifted player on this roster and was named to the All-Freshman WCC team last season at San Diego…
Wesley Yates III, So, Guard, Transfer from Washington: Wesley Yates was my favorite player coming out of Texas a couple of years ago while in high school. However, Yates was unable to play for the Huskies due to injury. I have held Wesley Yates’ stock for a minute now, and I was thrilled to learn he would be joining his cousin Quincy Pondexter at USC!
*I wanted to put the two four-star Freshmen last solely because they have yet to play college basketball[seniority], but with this team full of Graduate transfers, I DO expect both to play for the Muss Bus this season and make an impact!…FTFO!
Isaiah Elohim, Fr, Guard, Sierra Canyon High: Isaiah Elohim is about as tough as they come for high school recruits…He is the toughest freshman guard in the country. Elohim is physical and instinctual on the basketball floor. He is gifted inside the arc and displays a variety of ways to score the rock. Elohim attacks the rim with toughness and is a plus finisher; he is physically ready to play in the Big Ten right now and, defensively, will be a factor for USC this season on the wing!
Jalen Shelley, Fr, Forward, Link Academy: Jalen Shelley will have a chance to play in the frontcourt/as a big wing this season if his toughness and strength have improved since his final high school season. The ceiling is the highest on this roster. Jalen Shelley has special potential, and if he has put in the work leading into his freshman campaign, I don’t see why he couldn’t be an impact rotation player and possibly start later in the year!
I do know one thing for sure: the opening night starters will not be the same starters come late February and early March. With this roster, there are plenty of possibilities. Eric Musselman has proven successful with deep rotations in the past at Arkansas and flourished with experience at Nevada on his tournament runs. Per Barttorvik, USC is among the top 20 in the country in experience on the roster and among the top five in the Power Six.
I am so excited about this USC basketball team this season. I believe in the coach and coaching staff to maximize the experience and potential on this roster. This team has the play strength, depth, IQ, and coaching to be able to compete and win the Big Ten. I expect big things from Eric Musselman and the Trojans this season, and I would love to feel the magic Evan Mobley and company brought to my life again…Fight on Trojans. It’s already been a season of revelations with our defense on the football field. May the revelations continue to the hardwood!
Cheers, and Fight On!
Thank you, Eric Musselman.
The Center Hub 
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