League: NCAAM Sport: College Sports Country: United States Category: Breaking News

USC men's basketball ranked No. 12 by ESPN after key player returns

Yahoo Sports • 1 min read • Latest: Jun 5, 2026, 1:16 PM

Last updated Jun 5, 2026

USC men's basketball ranked No. 12 by ESPN after key player returns

Summary

USC men's basketball has been ranked No. 12 in ESPN's offseason rankings following the return of three players from the NBA draft. Rodney Rice, KJ Lewis, and Jacob Cofie are among the key talents expected to lead the team in the upcoming season. USC aims to compete deep into the NCAA Tournament, looking to build on a roster that includes five former McDonald's All-Americans. The Trojans missed significant play from star players last season due to injuries, but with a healthy lineup, they are projected to win at least one tournament game in March 2027.

Source Links

Yahoo Sports

Latest Updates

•ESPN ranks USC men's basketball No. 12 for the upcoming season.
•Rodney Rice scored 20.3 PPG before injury last season.
•KJ Lewis received All-Big East honors at Georgetown.
•USC features five former McDonald's All-Americans.
•A healthy roster is crucial for NCAA Tournament success.

Latest Updates

1:16 PMYahoo Sports — USC men's basketball receives very high national offseason ranking

What they're saying

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After three USC men's basketball players pulled out of the NBA draft and returned to the program, the Trojans are viewed as a Sweet 16 team by ESPN
— Yahoo Sports

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