Right after the recent loss, Eric Musselman’s comments hinted at his focus on the future of USC basketball.
“We’ll have two McDonald’s All-Americans next year,” he told reporters last week, signaling optimism despite a challenging season.
The acquisition of 7-foot identical twins, Adonis and Darius Ratliff, is set to play a crucial role as Musselman faces yet another roster overhaul, following the Trojans’ early exit against Washington in the Big Ten Tournament.
In his first two years, Musselman dealt with minimal returning players thanks to the ongoing shifts in college basketball. He might have a few more players to work with this season, but, like any coach in this situation, he’ll need to gather those he wants to keep after the Trojans’ 18-14 finish and second consecutive missed NCAA Tournament under his leadership.
Among those listed to possibly return are guards Rodney Rice and Aliyah Arenas, and forward Jacob Coffey.
Rice’s promising stint began last spring when he transferred from Maryland, but, unfortunately, his season was cut short by a shoulder injury that kept him out after only six games.
Meanwhile, Arenas didn’t make his debut until late January due to a knee injury. He’s showcased potential as a scorer, though he’s also raised concerns about his tendency to turn the ball over in crucial moments. Musselman even benched him for most of the overtime against the Huskies.
Will Arenas consider entering the NBA Draft? His father, Gilbert, a former three-time NBA All-Star, will surely have his input in that decision.
Coffey, a transfer from Virginia in his first season, proved to be a solid presence, starting every game and leading the team in rebounds. Should he decide to return, he’d fit right in.
Other players who are still eligible include center Gabe Dines and guards Jordan Marsh, Amarion Dickerson, and Jerry Easter II. It seems Musselman will have at least a couple of familiar faces to work with next season.
Always optimistic, Musselman highlighted the progress made during a tough season affected by injuries to key players like Rice and Arenas, as well as a surprising late-season firing of Chad Baker-Mazara.
He pointed to the potential NCAA Tournament berth, the improvement from a 17-18 record in his first year, and the Ratliff twins as indicators of positive changes ahead.
“Two five-stars,” he remarked about their recruitment. “Last year we had one and now we’re getting two. That’s a significant shift for the program.”
Musselman characterized Adonis Ratliff as being “out of position” despite his height, noting that both twins can play effectively both near the basket and on the perimeter. Still, he tempered expectations, reminding everyone that even top talents need time to adjust to college basketball.
As he prepares for the upcoming transfer portal opening on April 7, Musselman plans to prioritize attributes like competitiveness and durability. After two injury-plagued seasons, he’s aiming for a balanced roster, with an intent to recruit high school players for the Class of 2026.
“We don’t think we’ll keep reshuffling the roster every season,” he stated about his strategy. “If we have other plans tonight, the portal won’t be our only focus. We want a blend of both high school and transfer players.”
Now that another tough season has wrapped up, Musselman can finally turn his full attention to building for the future.
