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USC MBB Coach Predicts Which Trojan Will Have A Breakout Year Next Season
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- USC MBB Coach Predicts Which Trojan Will Have A Breakout Year Next Season
USC men's basketball will feature multiple new faces next season. The Trojans added 10 new players to the roster this offseason, which includes seven transfers and three McDonald's All-American incoming freshmen.
In a recent interview with USC Athletics , assistant coach Michael Musselman, who is also the son of head coach Eric Musselman, predicted which of these new players he expects to have a breakout year next season.
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Musselman predicted UConn transfer center Eric Reibe.
"Eric Reibe is probably poised for a breakout year when you look at the stat projections and when he has a bit more freedom to shoot threes more often. When he adds that piece to his game, which we've seen in practice, he's poised for a huge year," Musselman said.
Apr 6, 2026; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Michigan Wolverines forward Morez Johnson Jr. (21) is defended by Connecticut Huskies center Eric Reibe (12) in the first half during the national championship of the Final Four of the men's 2026 NCAA Tournament at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Robert Deutsch-Imagn Images
Reibe became the second transfer portal addition to USC's roster when he committed to the team in April. He has three more seasons of NCAA eligibility remaining and will replace former USC center Gabe Dynes.
Reibe Was A Backup Center At UConn Last Season
Last season, Reibe was stuck in the shadows of star senior center Tarris Reed, who won the 2026 NCAA East Region Most Outstanding Player. Reibe averaged just 6.7 minutes across six NCAA Tournament games.
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Now at USC, Reibe is expected to take on a much larger role for the Trojans.
Reibe started five games at UConn last season when Reed was out at the beginning of the season. The Hanover, Germany native averaged 12.5 points, 5.0 rebounds and 1.6 blocks while shooting 65% from the field during those games.
Throughout the entire season, Reibe averaged 5.9 points, 3.9 rebounds and 0.5 assists across 13.8 minutes in 40 games.
Reibe's experience in the Final Four with UConn will be helpful for USC as the program eyes its first NCAA Tournament appearance since the 2022-23 season.
Photo Credit: Robert Deutsch-Imagn Images
The post USC MBB Coach Predicts Which Trojan Will Have A Breakout Year Next Season appeared first on LA Sports Report .
