Trojans Men's Basketball to Face Wichita State in Caesars Lake Tahoe Classic

The No. 21 USC Trojans Men's Basketball squad is hitting the road this weekend to play their second game of the 2026-27 season. 

Following a season-opener win against the Milwaukee Panthers, the Trojans set their sights on Stateline, Nevada, where they will play the Wichita State Shockers in the Inaugural Caesars Lake Tahoe Classic. 

Wichita State will be a true beginning test for the Trojans, as the Shockers are projected to finish atop the American Athletic Conference via the Preseason Poll. The Shockers are coming off a thrilling, double overtime win against the CSUN Matadors. Led by a 26-point performance and a 16-rebound day by William Berg, senior guard Jordan Frison and junior forward Dillon Battie were elected preseason all-league selections. 

The Trojans will have a speedy two-day road trip before heading back home to the Galen Center on Nov. 15, as they play the California Golden Bears on Nov. 11.

 USC kicked off their season on a high note with a convincing 95-63 win over the Panthers — a game in which they led all 40 minutes. 

In that game, true freshman Adonis Ratliff made his collegiate debut and did not let the bright lights of college ball blindside him. Instead, he embraced it, as the former McDonald's All-American scored a team-high 25 points in the win.

His 25 points were the most points scored by a Trojan freshman in their first collegiate game since OJ Mayo scored 32 points back in 2007. Ratliff was one of three freshmen across the nation to score at least 25 points in his debut. 

Alongside him was his twin brother, Darius, who also had an immediate impact on his debut. 

Paired with 14 points, Darius' four blocks were the most by a USC freshman in his collegiate debut since Onyeka Okongwu's eight blocks in the 2019 season. 

USC's next matchup in Nevada holds a special place for Head Coach Eric Musselman. 

Musselman began his collegiate head coaching career in Nevada, coaching the Nevada Wolf Pack from 2016-19. Under Musselman, the Wolf Pack achieved their highest AP National ranking in the 2018 season at No. 5. 

During his short tenure, he led Nevada to tremendous success, including three NCAA tournament appearances and a College Basketball Invitational championship. 

Following their two-game road split, the Trojans return home on Nov. 15 to play the Arkansas-Pine Bluff Golden Lions, then host the Tarleton State Texans on Nov. 19 at Galen.