University Southern California Trojans
Rodney Rice Makes Preseason All-Big Ten Team
October 05, 2026 | Men's Basketball
The senior guard is the first player under Head Coach Eric Musselman to earn preseason Big Ten recognition.
ROSEMONT, Ill. — USC Men's Basketball senior guard Rodney Rice was tabbed to the Preseason All-Big Ten team, which was announced by the conference Monday.
Rice was one of 11 players who made the list, which was voted on by the Big Ten's 18 head coaches. He is the first player under Head Coach Eric Musselman to earn preseason recognition.
The point guard from Clinton, Md. had an impressive start to the 2025-26 season, averaging 20.3 points, 3.3 rebounds and a team-high 6.0 assists in six games before a shoulder surgery cut his season short.
A Jerry West Shooting Guard of the Year Preseason Top 20 Watch List selection, Rice finished in double figures in all six games in which he played, including four games with 20 or more points. He also recorded the second triple-double in program history against Illinois State with 21 points, a career-high 10 rebounds and 10 assists.
Additionally, the Preseason Big Ten Media Poll was released Monday. The Trojans were picked seventh out of 18 teams.
Rice and the Trojans will look to improve upon 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.
Preseason All-Big Ten Team
Player of the Year
Jeremy Fears Jr., Michigan State
All-Big Ten
David Mirkovic, Illinois
Andrej Stojakovic, Illinois
Pharrell Payne, Maryland
Elliot Cadeau, Michigan
Trey McKenney, Michigan
Jeremy Fears Jr., Michigan State (Unanimous)
Pryce Sandfort, Nebraska (Unanimous)
John Mobley Jr., Ohio State
Trent Perry, UCLA
Rodney Rice, USC
Nolan Winter, Wisconsin
Rice was one of 11 players who made the list, which was voted on by the Big Ten's 18 head coaches. He is the first player under Head Coach Eric Musselman to earn preseason recognition.
The point guard from Clinton, Md. had an impressive start to the 2025-26 season, averaging 20.3 points, 3.3 rebounds and a team-high 6.0 assists in six games before a shoulder surgery cut his season short.
A Jerry West Shooting Guard of the Year Preseason Top 20 Watch List selection, Rice finished in double figures in all six games in which he played, including four games with 20 or more points. He also recorded the second triple-double in program history against Illinois State with 21 points, a career-high 10 rebounds and 10 assists.
Additionally, the Preseason Big Ten Media Poll was released Monday. The Trojans were picked seventh out of 18 teams.
Rice and the Trojans will look to improve upon 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.
Preseason All-Big Ten Team
Player of the Year
Jeremy Fears Jr., Michigan State
All-Big Ten
David Mirkovic, Illinois
Andrej Stojakovic, Illinois
Pharrell Payne, Maryland
Elliot Cadeau, Michigan
Trey McKenney, Michigan
Jeremy Fears Jr., Michigan State (Unanimous)
Pryce Sandfort, Nebraska (Unanimous)
John Mobley Jr., Ohio State
Trent Perry, UCLA
Rodney Rice, USC
Nolan Winter, Wisconsin
Players Mentioned
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