Kristian Ferrell
The USC Trojans men's basketball program is a Division I college basketball team representing the University of Southern California. The team has a rich history dating back to 1907, when the Los Angeles Herald reported that Basketball Is Started At U.S.C. The Trojans compete in the Big Ten Conference of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) and have achieved notable success, including multiple league and conference championships, NCAA tournament appearances, and Hall of Fame inductees.
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What You'll Learn
USC Trojans men's basketball history
The USC Trojans men's basketball program is a college basketball team representing the University of Southern California. The team competes in the Big Ten Conference of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division I.
The first official game of USC basketball was played on January 16, 1907, with an 18–15 win over Occidental College—the first intercollegiate basketball game in Southern California. In the early days of the program, several football head coaches also served as basketball coaches, including Ralph Glaze, Dean Cromwell, Elmer "Gloomy Gus" Henderson, and Leo Calland.
In 1929, legendary USC football coach Howard Jones recommended Sam Barry, his former assistant at the University of Iowa, to take over as basketball head coach. Barry's strategic innovations laid the groundwork for the Triangle offense, and his campaign to do away with the center jump after each basket changed the game. During his 17 years as head coach, Barry's teams won eight division titles and three conference titles, and he amassed a record of 260–138. His 40 consecutive wins over crosstown rival UCLA stand as the longest winning streak by any coach against a single opponent in the history of college basketball.
After Barry's sudden death in September 1950, Forrest Twogood, who had been his assistant, took over as head coach. Twogood had previously played for Barry at the University of Iowa and had experience as a head coach at the University of Idaho and the University of San Francisco.
Since then, the USC Trojans men's basketball program has continued to achieve success, with notable coaches such as Stan Morrison, George Raveling, and Henry Bibby. The team has appeared in 20 NCAA Tournaments (with one appearance vacated), including two Final Four appearances, and boasts 25 All-Americans, 14 league championships, one conference tournament title, and five Sweet Sixteen appearances.
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The team's notable coaches
The USC Trojans men's basketball team has had several notable coaches throughout its history. The team's current head coach is Eric Musselman, who took over from Andy Enfield following the end of the 2023-2024 season. Here is a detailed look at some of the team's most notable coaches:
Sam Barry
Sam Barry is one of the most renowned coaches in the history of USC basketball. He was invited to join the university's staff by legendary football coach Howard Jones in 1929, taking control of the basketball program. Barry introduced an aggressive style of play that was uncommon outside the Midwest, and his strategic innovations laid the groundwork for the Triangle offense. During his 17 years as head coach, Barry led the Trojans to eight division titles and three conference titles. He also holds the record for the longest winning streak against a single opponent in college basketball history, with 40 consecutive wins over crosstown rival UCLA. Barry was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame as a coach, and his overall record at USC stands at 260-138.
Leo Calland
Leo Calland served as the head coach of the USC basketball team before Sam Barry's arrival. He guided the Trojans to their first conference title in 1928, defeating the Washington Huskies in a close game. Calland also held the position of football assistant coach and would later become the football head coach and athletic director at the University of Idaho.
Andy Enfield
Andy Enfield led the USC Trojans men's basketball team as head coach from 2013 to 2024. During his tenure, the team achieved notable successes, including 16 NCAA tournament appearances, five Sweet Sixteen appearances, and two Final Four appearances.
Dean Cromwell
Dean Cromwell is another notable figure in the history of USC basketball coaching. While primarily known as a track and field and baseball coach, he also contributed to the development of the basketball program. Cromwell was one of the early coaches who helped establish the foundation for the team's future successes.
Elmer "Gloomy Gus" Henderson
Elmer "Gloomy Gus" Henderson is remembered for his coaching contributions to multiple sports at USC. In addition to basketball, he also coached baseball and football. Henderson was part of the early years of USC basketball, helping to shape the program's direction.
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Achievements and accolades
The USC Trojans men's basketball program is a Division I college basketball team representing the University of Southern California. The team has an impressive list of achievements and accolades, including an all-time record of 1,500–1,097 (.578) in intercollegiate basketball games.
The Trojans have produced 25 All-Americans, including four players—Jack Gardner, Alex Hannum, Tex Winter, and Bill Sharman—who have been inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame as coaches. The team has also won 14 league championships and one conference tournament title. They have made 16 NCAA tournament appearances, with five Sweet Sixteen appearances, four Elite Eight appearances, and two Final Four appearances.
The Trojans' success can be partly attributed to the legendary coach Sam Barry, who took control of the basketball program in 1929. Barry introduced an aggressive style of play and strategic innovations that laid the groundwork for the Triangle offense. During his 17 years as head coach, his teams won eight division titles and three conference titles. Barry's overall record stands at 260–138, making him USC's all-time winningest coach. His 40 consecutive wins over rival UCLA stand as the longest winning streak by any coach against a single opponent in college basketball history.
In addition to Barry, several individuals associated with USC basketball have been honoured. The team has retired seven jersey numbers, and Sam Barry, along with Julie Bescos, Ernie Holbrook, Morley Drury, and Jess Mortensen, have been inducted into the USC Athletics Hall of Fame.
In recent years, JuJu Watkins has added to the list of achievements. She became the first USC player to win the AP Player of the Year award and led the Trojans to the Elite Eight, the school's deepest NCAA tournament run in 30 years. Watkins broke numerous records, including becoming the leading scorer among freshmen in NCAA Division I women's basketball history and scoring 920 points, the most in NCAA Division I women's basketball history.
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Notable players
The USC Trojans, representing the University of Southern California, compete in the NCAA Division I Big Ten Conference. The men's and women's basketball teams have both seen notable players come through their programs.
Men's Basketball Notable Players
The men's basketball program has a rich history, with the team first competing in intercollegiate basketball in 1906. While records from before the 1950s are often incomplete, more recent players have left their mark. One notable player is Miner, who suited up for the Trojans from 1989 to 1992. Miner was a consensus first-team All-American, Pac-10 Player of the Year, and a three-time first-team All-Pac-10. He averaged an impressive 23.5 points, 5.4 rebounds, 1.8 assists, and 1.1 steals per game during his time at USC. Another notable player is Gibson, who played for the Trojans from 2006 to 2009. Gibson was a defensive standout, earning Pac-10 Defensive Player of the Year honours and finishing his career with impressive averages of 12.4 points, 8.5 rebounds, and 2.4 blocks per game.
Women's Basketball Notable Players
The women's basketball team, also known as the Trojans, has had its own share of standout players. In the 2024-25 season, the team was led by sophomore sensation JuJu Watkins, who unfortunately suffered a season-ending ACL injury during March Madness. Despite her injury, Watkins remained an integral part of the team, with her teammates wearing Nike shirts with her face on them during a game. Another notable player on the team is Kiki Iriafen, who is projected to be a top-5 pick in the WNBA draft by WNBA Hall of Famer and USC alum Lisa Leslie. Iriafen, along with freshmen Kennedy Smith and Avery Howell, led the Trojans to a crucial win over Kansas State in the Sweet 16.
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Recent games and results
The USC Trojans men's basketball team has a rich history, with an all-time record of 1,500–1,097 in intercollegiate basketball games. The team has produced 25 All-Americans, won 14 league championships, and made 16 appearances in the NCAA tournament. The Trojans' first official game was an interclass match-up, with the freshman team defeating the sophomores 25-2. Their debut intercollegiate game was held on January 16, 1907, resulting in an 18-15 victory over Occidental College.
In the 2024-25 season, the Trojans faced off against Villanova, losing a close game 60-59. Unfortunately, one of their star freshman players, Alijah Arenas, suffered a serious knee injury during practice and is expected to be out for six to eight months. Another notable player, Jordan Marsh, has impressed with his defensive skills, and is projected to be part of the starting lineup. Gabe Dynes, a 7-foot-5 center, is also expected to compete for playing time, showcasing his defensive prowess during team practice.
The Trojans have had their fair share of challenges and controversies. In the 2007-08 season, the University found that one of their players, Mayo, had received improper benefits with the involvement of head coach Tim Floyd. As a result, USC vacated all regular-season wins from that season. Despite this setback, the 2008-09 Trojans team featured a highly-ranked recruit, DeMar DeRozan, and they went on to clinch their third consecutive NCAA Tournament appearance.
Looking ahead, the Trojans have a bright future with the commitment of Saniyah Hall, the No. 1 women's basketball prospect in the Class of 2026. Jacob Cofie, a transfer from Virginia, is also expected to make an impact, building upon his solid freshman year. The team is led by coach Eric Musselman, who steered the program through a challenging first season.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, the USC Trojans men's basketball program is a Division 1 college basketball team.
The USC Trojans compete in the Big Ten Conference of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA).
Eric Musselman is the current head coach of the USC Basketball team.
The USC Trojans have a strong history in basketball, with an all-time record of 1,500–1,097. They have 25 All-Americans, 14 league championships, one conference tournament title, and 16 NCAA tournament appearances. They have also reached the Final Four twice.
