No. 21 USC Trojans Face Wichita State in Lake Tahoe Classic

USC Trojans face Wichita State in Lake Tahoe Classic test

The No. 21 USC Trojans enter their first major non-conference test of the 2026-27 season on Sunday night, facing the Wichita State Shockers at the Tahoe Blue Event Center. After a dominant 95-63 opening victory over the Milwaukee Panthers, the Trojans move from a comfortable season opener to a high-stakes matchup in Stateline, Nevada. This game serves as a critical barometer for a program entering its third season under coach Eric Musselman, carrying the weight of high expectations to reach the NCAA Tournament for the first time in four years.

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The stakes extend beyond a single non-conference win. For the Trojans, Sunday’s clash is about validating a roster built on a blend of elite recruiting and high-upside transfers. For Wichita State, it is an opportunity to prove their recent momentum can translate against a ranked Big Ten opponent. The game tips off at 8 p.m. PT and will be broadcast on the CW.

The Ratliff brothers seek to sustain freshman momentum

The early narrative of the USC season has been driven by the immediate impact of the 2026 recruiting class, specifically the arrival of four-star brothers Adonis and Darius Ratliff. In their Trojan debut against Milwaukee, the pair occupied the starting lineup and accounted for 39 combined points, providing a glimpse of the interior dominance Musselman has sought to cultivate.

Adonis Ratliff led the scoring effort with 25 points, adding six rebounds and three assists while shooting 7-of-10 from the field. Darius Ratliff contributed 14 points and two rebounds on 5-of-10 shooting. Beyond the offensive production, the brothers established a defensive presence early, recording a combined seven blocks. The transition from a Milwaukee opener to a Wichita State matchup will test whether this freshman duo can maintain that efficiency against a more physical and disciplined Shockers frontcourt.

Health and leadership define the USC backcourt

While the Ratliff brothers provide the new energy, the long-term success of the Trojans hinges on the availability and performance of Rodney Rice and Alijah Arenas. The duo combined for 36 points in the season opener, but their path to this season has been defined by significant physical setbacks.

Last season, the Trojans struggled to a 7-13 record in Big Ten play, a decline largely attributed to the absence of these two key guards. Rice missed the entire 2025-26 campaign due to a right shoulder injury, while Arenas—son of former NBA All-Star Gilbert Arenas—faced a complicated recovery process involving a torn meniscus and a prior car accident. Arenas did not make his debut until January 2026, finishing his freshman year with averages of 14.1 points, 2.9 rebounds, and 2.1 assists over 14 games.

If Rice and Arenas can remain healthy and function as a cohesive unit, they have the potential to form one of the premier backcourts in the Big Ten. Their ability to navigate high-pressure defensive schemes will be the deciding factor if USC hopes to compete with conference heavyweights like the No. 3 Illinois Fighting Illini or the No. 6 Michigan State Spartans.

Wichita State leans on Kenyon Giles for upset potential

The Shockers arrive in Tahoe with a proven scoring threat in Kenyon Giles. As the leading scorer from Wichita State’s 2025-26 season, Giles is expected to be the primary engine for the Shockers’ offense. He enters this matchup following a 21-point performance in his own season-opening win against Cal State Northridge.

ICE-BERG OUT is the Key to Beating Wichita State

Player	Team	2025-26 Scoring Average
Kenyon Giles	Wichita State	19.1 PPG
Alijah Arenas	USC	14.1 PPG

The defensive assignment for USC will be clear: either Rice or Arenas must neutralize Giles. The Shockers, who finished last season with a 24-12 overall record and reached the NIT quarterfinals, will rely on the tandem of Giles and center William Berg to disrupt the Trojans’ rhythm. For USC to avoid an upset, they must contain Giles’ ability to score in transition and find ways to limit the second-chance opportunities that the Shockers’ interior play often generates.

The outcome of Sunday’s game will likely provide the first real indication of whether USC’s roster construction can withstand the rigors of a demanding Big Ten schedule.

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