USC Trojans Receive Surprising Big Ten Attendance Ranking

The only other Big Ten team with a worse home attendance than the Trojans last season was the Northwestern Wildcats, and it wasn’t by much. The Wildcats averaged 5,494 fans for home games last season at Welsh Ryan Arena. 

Since Musselman took over as USC’s coach in 2024, he’s made a strong effort to gain more fan interest in the Trojans basketball program. Missing the NCAA Tournament the last two seasons, obviously, won’t help gain interest from the Trojans faithful, but brighter days could be ahead.

Why USC's Home Attendance Could Improve Next Season

Entering Musselman’s third season as the Trojans coach, his USC group has the potential to be a special team and among the most underrated teams in the Big Ten next season. USC has had another aggressive approach in the transfer portal this offseason and is set to bring in a top-ranked 2026 recruiting class that includes three McDonald’s All-Americans.

The talent of five-star forward Christian Collins, along with four-star forward Adonis Ratliff and center Darius Ratliff, could put USC in a great position not only to make the tournament but to make a run in year three of Musselman. 

The addition of these three talented recruits could also attract more fans for USC basketball games at the Galen Center next season. In the transfer portal, Musselman has added six players. 

Georgetown guard KJ Lewis, UConn center Eric Reibe, and Colgate guard Jalen Cox are among the notable players that Musselman and the Trojans added in the transfer portal this offseason. USC’s 2026 transfer portal class is ranked No. 21 overall and third in the Big Ten behind the Michigan Wolverines and Indiana Hoosiers, per 247Sports. 

The Return of Top Contributors For Trojans

USC also returns star guards Rodney Rice and Alijah Arenas, who look to form one of the most dominant backcourts in the Big Ten next season. Before his season-ending right shoulder injury, Rice, following USC’s 83-81 Maui Invitational Semifinal win over the Seton Hall Pirates, was one of the Trojans' top scorers in the six games he played, averaging 20.3 points, 6.0 assists, and 3.3 rebounds per game. 

Arenas made his Trojans debut in mid-January following recovery from a brutal car accident and a torn meniscus injury. In 14 games played for the Trojans last season, Arenas averaged 14.1 points, 2.9 rebounds, and 2.1 assists per game. 

With both players returning for the 2026-27 season at full strength, not only do Rice and Arenas have the potential to form a dominant backcourt, but their play could attract more Trojan fans to the Galen Center.