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USC men’s basketball’s Rodney Rice named to Preseason All-Big Ten team
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- USC men’s basketball’s Rodney Rice named to Preseason All-Big Ten team
The 2026 college football season is now in full swing . But believe it or not, college basketball season is less than a month away!
Last week, the Big Ten announced its preseason honors for the 2026-2027 men's basketball season. One of the 11 players included on the Preseason All-Big Ten team was USC's Rodney Rice.
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Rice appeared in six games for the Trojans last season, before missing the rest of the year with a shoulder injury. In those six games, however, he was quite impressive, averaging 20.3 points and 6.0 assists per contest.
Now, he is back to finish what he started last season. With Rice and several other notable returnees joining forces with highly-touted recruiting and transfer portal classes, USC should have by far its most talented team of the Eric Musselman era this year.
The Trojans will tip off their 2026-2027 campaign against Milwaukee at Galen Center on November 2.
USC Trojans quarterback Mark Sanchez (6) throws a pass past Penn State Nittany Lions' Maurice Evans (R) during the second quarter of the 95th Rose Bowl game in Pasadena, California, January 1, 2009. REUTERS/Mike Blake (UNITED STATES)
(Mike Blake, REUTERS)
The Penn State Nittany Lions quarterback Daryll Clark (C) scrambles under pressure from the USC Trojans Josh Gaines (L) and Collin Wagner (R) in the third quarter during the 95th Rose Bowl game in Pasadena, California, January 1, 2009. REUTERS/Mike Blake (UNITED STATES)
(Mike Blake, REUTERS)
The USC Trojans' Joe McKnight (2nd L) runs between Penn State Nittany Lions' Lydell Sargeant (L), Anthony Scirrotto (2nd R) and Navorro Bowman (R) during the second quarter
at the 95th Rose Bowl Game in Pasadena, California, January 1, 2009. REUTERS/Lucy Nicholson (UNITED STATES)
(Lucy Nicholson, REUTERS)
USC Trojans head coach Pete Carroll hoists the Leishman Trophy after his team's 38-24 victory over the Penn State Nittany Lions in the 95th Rose Bowl game in Pasadena, California, in this January 1, 2009 file photo. Carroll has reportedly agreed to leave USC to return to the NFL and coach the Seattle Seahawks, according to media reports on January 9, 2010. Picture taken January 1, 2009. REUTERS/Mike Blake/Files (UNITED STATES - Tags: SPORT FOOTBALL)
(Mike Blake, REUTERS)
Jan 2, 2017; Pasadena, CA, USA; General overall view of fireworks during the playing of the national anthem before the 103rd Rose Bowl between the USC Trojans and the Penn State Nittany Lions at the Rose Bowl. USC defeated Penn State 52-49 in the highest scoring game in Rose Bowl history. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
(Kirby Lee, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
Jan 2, 2017; Pasadena, CA, USA; USC Trojans quarterback Sam Darnold (14) throws a pass against the Penn State Nittany Lions during the 103rd Rose Bowl at Rose Bowl. USC defeated Penn State 52-49 in the highest scoring game in Rose Bowl history. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
(Kirby Lee, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
Jan 2, 2017; Pasadena, CA, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions quarterback Trace McSorley (9) is defended by USC Trojans defensive end Porter Gustin (45) during the 103rd Rose Bowl at Rose Bowl. USC defeated Penn State 52-49 in the highest scoring game in Rose Bowl history. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
(Kirby Lee, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
Jan 2, 2017; Pasadena, CA, USA; USC Trojans wide receiver Deontay Burnett (80) catches a 27-yard touchdown pass as Penn State Nittany Lions safety Marcus Allen (2) defends with 1:09 left during the 103rd Rose Bowl at Rose Bowl. USC defeated Penn State 52-49 in the highest scoring game in Rose Bowl history. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
(Kirby Lee, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
Jan 2, 2017; Pasadena, CA, USA;USC Trojans defensive back Leon McQuay III (22) intercepts a pass intended for Penn State Nittany Lions cornerback Jordan Smith (12) with 42 seconds left during the 103rd Rose Bowl at Rose Bowl. USC defeated Penn State 52-49 in the highest scoring game in Rose Bowl history. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
(Kirby Lee, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
Jan 2, 2017; Pasadena, CA, USA; USC Trojans place kicker Matt Boermeester (39) kicks a 46-yard field goal out of the hold of Wyatt Schmidt (46) as time expires against the Penn State Nittany Lions during the 103rd Rose Bowl at Rose Bowl. USC defeated Penn State 52-49 in the highest scoring game in Rose Bowl history. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
(Kirby Lee, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
Jan 2, 2017; Pasadena, CA, USA; USC Trojans place kicker Matt Boermeester (39) celebrates with holder Wyatt Schmidt (46) after kicking a 46-yard field as time expires against the Penn State Nittany Lions during the 103rd Rose Bowl at Rose Bowl. USC defeated Penn State 52-49 in the highest scoring game in Rose Bowl history. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
(Kirby Lee, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
Jan 2, 2017; Pasadena, CA, USA; USC Trojans coach Clay Helton poses with the Leishman Trophy after the 103rd Rose Bowl against the Penn State Nittany Lions at Rose Bowl. USC defeated Penn State 52-49 in the highest scoring game in Rose Bowl history. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
(Kirby Lee, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
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Looking back at USC’s 2009, 2017 Rose Bowl victories over Penn State
USC Trojans quarterback Mark Sanchez (6) throws a pass past Penn State Nittany Lions' Maurice Evans (R) during the second quarter of the 95th Rose Bowl game in Pasadena, California, January 1, 2009. REUTERS/Mike Blake (UNITED STATES)
(Mike Blake, REUTERS)
1
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Looking back at USC’s 2009, 2017 Rose Bowl victories over Penn State
USC Trojans quarterback Mark Sanchez (6) throws a pass past Penn State Nittany Lions' Maurice Evans (R) during the second quarter of the 95th Rose Bowl game in Pasadena, California, January 1, 2009. REUTERS/Mike Blake (UNITED STATES)
(Mike Blake, REUTERS)
2
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Looking back at USC’s 2009, 2017 Rose Bowl victories over Penn State
The Penn State Nittany Lions quarterback Daryll Clark (C) scrambles under pressure from the USC Trojans Josh Gaines (L) and Collin Wagner (R) in the third quarter during the 95th Rose Bowl game in Pasadena, California, January 1, 2009. REUTERS/Mike Blake (UNITED STATES)
(Mike Blake, REUTERS)
3
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Looking back at USC’s 2009, 2017 Rose Bowl victories over Penn State
The USC Trojans' Joe McKnight (2nd L) runs between Penn State Nittany Lions' Lydell Sargeant (L), Anthony Scirrotto (2nd R) and Navorro Bowman (R) during the second quarter
at the 95th Rose Bowl Game in Pasadena, California, January 1, 2009. REUTERS/Lucy Nicholson (UNITED STATES)
(Lucy Nicholson, REUTERS)
4
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Looking back at USC’s 2009, 2017 Rose Bowl victories over Penn State
USC Trojans head coach Pete Carroll hoists the Leishman Trophy after his team's 38-24 victory over the Penn State Nittany Lions in the 95th Rose Bowl game in Pasadena, California, in this January 1, 2009 file photo. Carroll has reportedly agreed to leave USC to return to the NFL and coach the Seattle Seahawks, according to media reports on January 9, 2010. Picture taken January 1, 2009. REUTERS/Mike Blake/Files (UNITED STATES - Tags: SPORT FOOTBALL)
(Mike Blake, REUTERS)
5
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Looking back at USC’s 2009, 2017 Rose Bowl victories over Penn State
Jan 2, 2017; Pasadena, CA, USA; General overall view of fireworks during the playing of the national anthem before the 103rd Rose Bowl between the USC Trojans and the Penn State Nittany Lions at the Rose Bowl. USC defeated Penn State 52-49 in the highest scoring game in Rose Bowl history. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
(Kirby Lee, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
6
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Looking back at USC’s 2009, 2017 Rose Bowl victories over Penn State
Jan 2, 2017; Pasadena, CA, USA; USC Trojans quarterback Sam Darnold (14) throws a pass against the Penn State Nittany Lions during the 103rd Rose Bowl at Rose Bowl. USC defeated Penn State 52-49 in the highest scoring game in Rose Bowl history. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
(Kirby Lee, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
7
/12
Looking back at USC’s 2009, 2017 Rose Bowl victories over Penn State
Jan 2, 2017; Pasadena, CA, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions quarterback Trace McSorley (9) is defended by USC Trojans defensive end Porter Gustin (45) during the 103rd Rose Bowl at Rose Bowl. USC defeated Penn State 52-49 in the highest scoring game in Rose Bowl history. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
(Kirby Lee, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
8
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Looking back at USC’s 2009, 2017 Rose Bowl victories over Penn State
Jan 2, 2017; Pasadena, CA, USA; USC Trojans wide receiver Deontay Burnett (80) catches a 27-yard touchdown pass as Penn State Nittany Lions safety Marcus Allen (2) defends with 1:09 left during the 103rd Rose Bowl at Rose Bowl. USC defeated Penn State 52-49 in the highest scoring game in Rose Bowl history. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
(Kirby Lee, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
9
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Looking back at USC’s 2009, 2017 Rose Bowl victories over Penn State
Jan 2, 2017; Pasadena, CA, USA;USC Trojans defensive back Leon McQuay III (22) intercepts a pass intended for Penn State Nittany Lions cornerback Jordan Smith (12) with 42 seconds left during the 103rd Rose Bowl at Rose Bowl. USC defeated Penn State 52-49 in the highest scoring game in Rose Bowl history. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
(Kirby Lee, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
10
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Looking back at USC’s 2009, 2017 Rose Bowl victories over Penn State
Jan 2, 2017; Pasadena, CA, USA; USC Trojans place kicker Matt Boermeester (39) kicks a 46-yard field goal out of the hold of Wyatt Schmidt (46) as time expires against the Penn State Nittany Lions during the 103rd Rose Bowl at Rose Bowl. USC defeated Penn State 52-49 in the highest scoring game in Rose Bowl history. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
(Kirby Lee, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
11
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Looking back at USC’s 2009, 2017 Rose Bowl victories over Penn State
Jan 2, 2017; Pasadena, CA, USA; USC Trojans place kicker Matt Boermeester (39) celebrates with holder Wyatt Schmidt (46) after kicking a 46-yard field as time expires against the Penn State Nittany Lions during the 103rd Rose Bowl at Rose Bowl. USC defeated Penn State 52-49 in the highest scoring game in Rose Bowl history. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
(Kirby Lee, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
12
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Looking back at USC’s 2009, 2017 Rose Bowl victories over Penn State
Jan 2, 2017; Pasadena, CA, USA; USC Trojans coach Clay Helton poses with the Leishman Trophy after the 103rd Rose Bowl against the Penn State Nittany Lions at Rose Bowl. USC defeated Penn State 52-49 in the highest scoring game in Rose Bowl history. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
(Kirby Lee, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
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This article originally appeared on Trojans Wire: USC men's basketball's Rodney Rice named to Preseason All-Big Ten team
