USC Trojans guard Rodney Rice is entering is second season in Los Angeles. The 23-year old has high hopes for this season’s Trojans squad.
Rodney Riceon USC: “I Think We Can Be Great”
Nov 14, 2025; Inglewood, California, USA; Southern California Trojans guard Rodney Rice (1) shoots a free throw during the first half of the Hall of Fame Series game against the Illinois State Redbirds at Intuit Dome. Mandatory Credit: Kiyoshi Mio-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect
Rodney Rice transferred the USC Trojans in 2025 after previously playing for the Maryland Terrapins in 2024-25. Right away, Rice became USC’s go-to scorer. He led the Trojans in points per game with 20.3 in his first six games of the season to lead USC to a 6-0 start, including winning the 2025 Maui Invitational Tournament.
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Unfortunately, that would be the end of the season for Rice, who suffered a season ending shoulder injury after those six games. USC ended the season with a record of 18-14, missing the NCAA Tournament for the third consecutive year. However, Rice thinks USC will be a force to be reckoned with this season.
“I think we can be great. I want to make the Final Four,” Rice said in a video posted by USC’s official X account. “I love it here. I love the team we have as well as Coach Muss and the coaching staff…Win the Big Ten, I think we got the guys to do that…We got what it takes. I think we can be real special.”
On paper, USC has had a great offseason. In addition to bringing back key members of their backcourt from last season in Rice and guard Alijah Arenas, the Trojans did well in the portal.
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USC landed two four-star transfers in the portal this offseason in guard KJ Lewis and center Eric Reibe.
Lewis previously played for the Arizona Wildcats and Georgetown Hoyas from 2023-2026. At Georgetown last season, the 6-4 Lewis averaged 14.9 points, 5.1 rebounds, and 2.5 assists per game. He was named First-team All-Big East in 2026. Lewis will bring instant offense to the table for USC.
Feb 21, 2026; Newark, New Jersey, USA; Georgetown Hoyas guard KJ Lewis (5) drives to the basket against Seton Hall Pirates guard Adam Clark (0) during the first half at Prudential Center. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect
Eric Reibe is a 7-1 center out of Germany who played his freshman season in college with the UConn Huskies in 2025-26. The Huskies were a veteran-led team last season and made a run all the way to the national title game. Reibe didn’t see much playing time, averaging 5.9 points and 3.3 rebounds in 13.8 minutes played per game.
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CBS Sports college basketball insider Jon Rothstein has USC ranked as the No. 4 team in the Big Ten conference heading into next season, behind only the Illinois Fighting Illini, Michigan State Spartans, and Michigan Wolverines. That would be a big step up from where USC finished in the Big Ten conference standings in their first two seasons as a member of the league.
Mar 31, 2025; Brooklyn, New York, USA; McDonald’s All American East center Eric Reibe (22) prepares to shoot the ball during the Sprite Jam Fest at Barclay’s Center. Mandatory Credit: Pamela Smith-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect
In 2024-25, USC had a record of 7-13 in Big Ten play and finished tied for 12th with four other teams. In 2025-26, USC went 7-13 in league play and once against tied for 12th place in the Big Ten.
Will year three under coach Eric Musselman be different?
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This article was originally published on www.si.com/college/usc as Rodney Rice Puts High Expectations on USC for Upcoming Season.
