University Southern California Trojans
USC Men’s Basketball Ranked No. 21 in AP Preseason Poll
October 19, 2026 | Men's Basketball
No. 21 is USC's highest ranking under Head Coach Eric Musselman.
LOS ANGELES — The USC Men's Basketball team checked in at No. 21 in the Preseason AP Top 25 Poll, which was announced Monday.
This is the second time the Trojans have been ranked in the AP Poll under Head Coach Eric Musselman and the first time USC has begun the season ranked in the top 25. Additionally, USC's ranking of No. 21 is the highest ranking for the Trojans in Musselman's three seasons at USC. Musselman's teams have been ranked in the AP Poll in eight of his 12 seasons as a head coach.
USC was one of five Big Ten teams in the AP Preseason Poll, joining No. 3 Illinois, No. 6 Michigan State, No. 16 Michigan and No. 22 UCLA. Five other Big Ten teams — Nebraska, Purdue, Ohio State, Iowa and Indiana — received votes.
This year's Trojan squad has generated the most buzz out of any team under third-year Head Coach Eric Musselman, who has put together one of the nation's best high school and portal recruiting classes. USC aims to improve on last year's 18-14 record with three returners, seven transfers and the No. 5 recruiting class in ESPN's rankings, which is USC's second-best recruiting class since ESPN started tracking that data in 2007.
USC is back in action this Friday for its final road exhibition at San Diego State. Tipoff is scheduled for 7:00 p.m.
This is the second time the Trojans have been ranked in the AP Poll under Head Coach Eric Musselman and the first time USC has begun the season ranked in the top 25. Additionally, USC's ranking of No. 21 is the highest ranking for the Trojans in Musselman's three seasons at USC. Musselman's teams have been ranked in the AP Poll in eight of his 12 seasons as a head coach.
USC was one of five Big Ten teams in the AP Preseason Poll, joining No. 3 Illinois, No. 6 Michigan State, No. 16 Michigan and No. 22 UCLA. Five other Big Ten teams — Nebraska, Purdue, Ohio State, Iowa and Indiana — received votes.
This year's Trojan squad has generated the most buzz out of any team under third-year Head Coach Eric Musselman, who has put together one of the nation's best high school and portal recruiting classes. USC aims to improve on last year's 18-14 record with three returners, seven transfers and the No. 5 recruiting class in ESPN's rankings, which is USC's second-best recruiting class since ESPN started tracking that data in 2007.
USC is back in action this Friday for its final road exhibition at San Diego State. Tipoff is scheduled for 7:00 p.m.
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