USC Basketball Stuns Wichita State 93-86 as Alijah Arenas Erupts for 30 Points

Southern California men’s basketball is making early noise in its first full season as a Big Ten member, riding Sunday night’s 93-86 victory over Wichita State in the Caesars Lake Tahoe Classic to a 2-0 start. USC’s back-court tandem put on a show: Virginia Tech transfer Rodney Rice erupted for 32 points and nine assists, while sophomore wing Alijah Arenas poured in 30, combining for 25 of the Trojans’ final 34 points as they erased an 11-point first-half deficit and closed the game on a 20-12 run. Key takeaways for Trojan fans and college-hoops watchers: 1. Star power is real. Rice’s downhill attacks produced 16 free-throw attempts, and Arenas’ mid-range touch punished every Shockers turnover. If the duo continues to average 50+ points, USC basketball will stay in the national Top-25 conversation. 2. Front-court depth emerging. Freshman twin towers Adonis and Darius Ratliff combined for 23 rebounds, helping USC win the glass 44-36 despite Wichita State’s early three-point barrage. 3. Early résumé builder. Neutral-site wins matter in March; knocking off a perennial American-Athletic contender positions the Trojans favorably before upcoming road tests at California and the Big Ten/SEC Challenge. The broader storyline centers on second-year head coach Eric Musselman, whose fast-paced, NBA-style offense has already flipped USC’s identity since arriving from Arkansas in April 2024. Musselman’s relentless use of the transfer portal—nine newcomers fill this season’s roster—mirrors his Razorback blueprint that produced three straight Sweet 16s. What’s next? • Wednesday, Nov. 11: at California – first glimpse of USC in Pac-12 country since the move to the Big Ten was finalized. • Saturday, Nov. 14: vs. Ohio State – the Trojans’ inaugural conference home opener could feature two ranked teams if both stay perfect. • Thanksgiving week: Battle 4 Atlantis – potential matchups with Duke and Arizona offer quadrant-one opportunities. Why it matters for searchers: • Bracketology impact – early NET boost. • Player awards watch – Rice now averages 28.5 PPG; Arenas 24.0 PPG. • Recruiting ripple – top-10 2027 guard Koa Peat visits campus during the Ohio State game. Bottom line: USC basketball is no longer a West-Coast curiosity; it’s a national headline. If Rice and Arenas maintain their scoring tear and Musselman’s defense tightens the three-point line, the Trojans could challenge for a Big Ten title and make their deepest NCAA run since 2001.