Jacob Cofie’s Trojan Comeback Energizes Musselman’s Squad
Forward Jacob Cofie has officially withdrawn from the 2026 NBA Draft and opted to return to USC under coach Eric Musselman. Last season, Cofie averaged 9.9 points, 6.8 rebounds, nearly two assists and blocks per game, and shot 51 percent from the field. His size and versatility anchor a frontcourt that now includes transfer center Eric Reibe and newcomers Joshua Hughes, Isaac Bruns, Jadis Jones, Jalen Cox and KJ Lewis. Freshman recruits Christian Collins and the Ratliff twins bolster depth further. With Cofie, Alijah Arenas and a bevy of new talent, the Trojans aim to climb the Big Ten standings and make a NCAA Tournament push in 2026–27.
In a plot twist even Hollywood would envy, USC’s basketball roster has more new faces than a freshman mixer—yet somehow fewer questions than before. Jacob Cofie’s decision to ditch the NBA hype is being hailed as a mercy mission for Trojan basketball Twitter, where diehards feared Musselman’s recruiting browser history had been wiped clean. Now, with an Avengers-style frontcourt ensemble and a bench that could fill two squads, USC is preparing to terrify Big Ten opponents with their depth (and maybe crash a few hotel elevators with sheer numerical force). Stay tuned: this season, bench players may outscore the starters and still get standing ovations.
Three Sneaky Battles USC Can’t Sleep On
Amid marquee clashes with Oregon, Ohio State and Indiana, USC’s 2026 football schedule features three potentially underrated tests: San Jose State at a noon opener in the Coliseum, a midseason home tilt versus Washington coming off an Oregon slugfest, and a post-bye-week road game at physical Wisconsin. Each poses unique challenges—early-day flat starts, containing dual-threat QB Demond Williams, and dominating the trenches against the Badgers. With Big Ten title hopes and College Football Playoff aspirations, USC must treat these “easy” games like prime-time thriller events to avoid early hiccups.
Fans already marking “W” next to San Jose State before kickoff might want to invest in coffee and extra towels—noon games have a sneaky way of turning into pillow fights. And who wouldn’t crack under the pressure of Oregon’s wrath one week and a Husky tear-loose the next? As for Wisconsin, rumor has it their O-line bench-presses tractors on Tuesdays. If Lincoln Riley’s squad comes out flat in any of these matchups, the Trojan faithful will have more heart palpitations than a Netflix true-crime binge. Buckle up: the underdog scripts are ready for their close-up.
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