No. 21 Southern California to Host Milwaukee on November 2
The Trojans open their season in Los Angeles against a Milwaukee squad looking to improve upon their prior campaign.
Updated on Oct. 26, 2026 in Basketball
Live Poll
Will your local college basketball team show significant improvement after major offseason roster changes?
No. 21 ranked Southern California is set to face Milwaukee on November 2, 2026, to kick off the regular season. Head coach Eric Musselman leads a revamped roster for the home opener in Los Angeles.
Why it matters
The matchup serves as a significant early test for Southern California as they look to validate their preseason ranking against a Milwaukee team aiming to climb the Horizon League standings.
Southern California enters the contest ranked No. 21, while Milwaukee finished the 2025-26 season with an overall record of 12-20 and an 8-12 mark in conference play.
The players
Eric Musselman
He is the head coach of the Southern California men's basketball program.
Bart Lundy
He serves as the head coach for the Milwaukee men's basketball team.
Alijah Arenas
He is a key player on the Southern California roster who averaged 14.1 points during his freshman campaign.
Rodney Rice
He is a guard for Southern California who averaged 20.3 points and six assists per game last season.
The details
Southern California features a roster led by Alijah Arenas, who averaged 14.1 points last season, and Rodney Rice, who recorded 20.3 points and six assists per game. Milwaukee returns players Danilo Jovanovich and Isaiah Dorceus under the guidance of head coach Bart Lundy.
Timeline
November 2, 2026: Southern California plays Milwaukee in the season opener.
2026-27: This matchup marks the start of the current college basketball season.
Season Trajectory
This season opener establishes the early competitive baseline for both programs within the larger college basketball landscape. The result will influence national poll movement for Southern California and calibrate expectations for Milwaukee as they navigate their conference schedule.
Fans should monitor the integration of new roster additions like Alijah Arenas into the Southern California rotation during this opening game. The outcome will likely serve as an early indicator of team depth for future conference matchups.
The takeaway
Early season games often reveal significant adjustments as new rosters stabilize under established coaching systems. Watching player performance in these opening minutes can provide insight into which rotations coaches trust for the remainder of the schedule.
Further reading
For more updates, visit the Basketball page.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Deadspin.
Live Poll
Will your local college basketball team show significant improvement after major offseason roster changes?
