Will the USC Trojans surpass UCLA's basketball program next year?

After a second-straight Round of 32 NCAA tournament exit for the UCLA Bruins, it was going to be interesting to see how Mick Cronin attempted to elevate his roster heading into the 2026-2027 season. Cronin and UCLA brought in some talent via the portal but no clear game-changing transfers.

UCLA will need a more consistent offense

UCLA’s coming off of a pretty disappointing 24-12 season, where the team lacked defensive playmakers and had up-and-down offensive performances. In theory, the Bruins would have to be replacing a lot of offense, with both Tyler Bilodeau and Donovan Dent graduating from the program.

Mick Cronin is betting on his guys

Instead, UCLA is banking on some of the talent already on their roster to take a leap as a scorer. It’s possible that Eric Dailey Jr., Trent Perry and Xavier Booker are able to do that, but it’s no sure thing. Across town, USC keeps loading up talent, with the Trojans poised for a very competitive season under Eric Musselman.

Could USC start knocking off Cronin and the Bruins?

Cronin hasn’t lost to Musselman since both coaches have been in Los Angeles, but might that change this season? Trojans Wire writer Matt Zemek gives his take on who’s better positioned this year between UCLA and USC.

A view from the other side

“It's true that Eric Musselman has, to this point, been a major disappointment at USC. However, it does need to be said that if USC had not been hit very hard by injuries this past season -- Rodney Rice, Alijah Arenas, and others -- the Trojans very probably would have made the NCAA Tournament. Now, Arenas is staying for a second season. Rice is coming back, plus the new portal reinforcements. It's a massive haul which certainly seems to be better and more ambitious than what Mick Cronin has done at UCLA,” Zemek wrote. “I followed UCLA closely the past few seasons. Being a No. 7 seed is now a trend, at least if you believe the old saying, "One is an accident, two's a trend." USC has what looks like a Sweet 16 team on paper, maybe a No. 4 seed. I don't think UCLA is there -- not now, at least. In what is a hot-seat season for Cronin, the outlook doesn't seem especially promising. Another 7 seed won't make anyone in Westwood happy ... and it probably won't be enough to match the standard USC is likely to set, provided the Trojans stay healthy next season.”