USC men’s basketball held its open practice session at Galen Center on Tuesday, offering a glimpse into a potentially transformative season under second-year head coach Eric Musselman.
With a rebuilt roster constructed through the transfer portal, the Trojans are betting that Musselman’s aggressive recruiting approach will translate into Big Ten success.
Musselman brought in nine players via the transfer portal ahead of the season and he’s depending on his new talent to showcase why they belong at USC.
“A lot of good positives,” Musselman said. “This group seems to like each other and they have good chemistry. We never have to ask them to go hard, and that’s a huge positive.”
One of the key pieces of USC’s new identity is point guard Jordan Marsh, the 5-foot-11 dynamo who transferred from UNC Asheville after averaging 18.8 points per game last season. Despite his slight 146-pound frame making him the smallest player on the roster, Marsh’s impact on practice tempo was impossible to ignore.
“I’m tired of J Marsh, he’s too fast,” forward Ezra Ausar said, laughing. “He’s hands down one of the fastest guards I’ve played with. He controls the tempo and he also gives us tempo. If you’re not playing at J Marsh’s speed, you don’t need to be on the floor.
Musselman sees Marsh as more than just a speedster, envisioning him as a true point guard for USC’s offense.
“Jordan paces us and he’s good at one man press, we just need to keep people out of his way, he’s got blazing speed,” Musselman said. “He’s working on being a pass-first point guard because he’s been wired to score, so that’ll be his progression as a point guard—understanding when and where to pass the ball.”
USC’s most intriguing addition might be the 7-foot-3 center Gabe Dynes, who transferred from Youngstown State after leading the NCAA with 104 blocks last season. Musselman has been pleasantly surprised by Dynes’ development.
“He’s a lot better player than maybe what we thought coming in,” Musselman said. “He keeps getting better and more confident. He’s got really good hands, he can laterally move for his size. Continuing to get better in the weight room is going to be his focus so he can be ready for Big Ten conference play because his overall strength is important.”
With extensive roster turnover, practice sessions have focused on installing Musselman’s system while emphasizing fundamentals. The coach stressed “paying attention to the little details in their play and sets.”
“We’re trying to learn a whole system in a short amount of time,” Musselman explained. “We start practice on Monday where we get four hours, and then we can really go.”
Defensive principles and rebounding have been emphasized as well, with coaches stressing proper technique and “all the little things” that Musselman’s system demands.
Practice ended with a fun surprise honoring the team’s elder statesman Chad Baker-Mazara.
At 25 years old, Baker-Mazara is the oldest player on the roster, yet he was honored for his Final Four run with Auburn last season.
“This ring is motivation because I want to get one with this team,” Baker-Mazara said. “More for all of us to see that we can get there and see what it comes with.”
His leadership extends beyond basketball IQ to fostering culture.
“They help me as much as I help them, but trying to be a leader is important for me, and to be a brother on and off the court,” he said.
Baker-Mazara has also embraced Musselman’s passionate coaching style, finding that the intensity has strengthened their relationship rather than creating friction.
Last season’s 17-18 record provided glimpses of potential under Musselman’s first year, but this revamped roster appears positioned to make a more significant impact in USC’s second year in the Big Ten.
As players worked through drills and scrimmaged with enthusiasm, it became clear that while questions remain about how quickly this group can gel, the foundation for something special appears to be taking shape.
With Musselman’s proven track record, a blend of experienced transfers, promising young talent and a hunger to prove themselves, the question remains: Can the Trojans deliver when the season begins in just a month?