USC Sophomore Earns First Career Big Ten Weekly Honor
USC sophomore guard Alijah Arenas was named Big Ten Player of the Week on Monday, the conference announced, following a standout performance in the Trojans' 93-86 win over Wichita State on Sunday at the inaugural Caesars Lake Tahoe Classic. The honor is the first of Arenas' collegiate career.
Arenas scored a career-high 30 points against the Shockers, shooting 9-for-18 from the field and 12-for-14 from the free-throw line. His 18 first-half points helped USC overcome an 11-point deficit and secure the comeback victory. Through the Trojans' first two games, Arenas is averaging 25.5 points per game, ranking 15th nationally, while his 18 made field goals rank 33rd in Division I men's basketball.
"The biggest thing is their ability to put pressure on the defense with free throws attempted, and then converting from the foul line," head coach Eric Musselman said after the game, referring to his backcourt duo of Arenas and senior Rodney Rice.
Backcourt Duo Delivers
Arenas and Rice, playing together in just their second regular-season game, combined for 62 points against Wichita State. Rice scored 32 points — also a career high — while adding nine assists and five rebounds. The pair attempted 32 free throws combined, making 29, a testament to their aggressive approach attacking the basket.
The performance was particularly notable given the pair's history. Last season, Arenas and Rice never played a game together: Rice suffered a season-ending injury in the team's sixth game, while Arenas missed the first 18 games of the 2025-26 campaign recovering from a torn meniscus. Arenas returned to start the final 13 of 14 games, earning Big Ten Freshman of the Year honors after scoring a then-career-high 29 points against Indiana on Feb. 3.
In the season opener against Milwaukee on Nov. 2, Arenas shot 9-for-14 from the floor and set a career high with eight rebounds and 20 points. The Trojans improved to 2-0 with Sunday's win.
Context: A Program Finding Its Footing
The weekly award comes as USC men's basketball, ranked No. 21 in the preseason, seeks to establish itself as a Big Ten contender under Musselman, now in his third season. The Trojans have begun the 2026-27 campaign with back-to-back wins, though Sunday's victory exposed some vulnerabilities.
USC struggled from beyond the arc in the first half against Wichita State, shooting just 1-for-7 from 3-point range, while the Shockers shot 58% from deep before halftime. The Trojans also lost the rebounding battle, 38-34, continuing a concern from last season. Three USC players fouled out, including junior forward Jacob Cofie and freshman center Darius Ratliff, leaving the frontcourt depleted.
Despite those issues, the backcourt's ability to close out a tight game marked a departure from last season, when the Trojans frequently faltered in late-game situations. Musselman has emphasized that Rice, Arenas, and Cofie will anchor this year's squad, particularly with an influx of transfers and new recruits.
The Trojans will finish their two-game road trip at California before returning home on Nov. 15 to face a yet-to-be-determined opponent at the Galen Center.
Perspective: Rising Star in a Loaded Conference
Arenas' recognition reflects both his individual development and the broader emergence of USC's backcourt as one of the Big Ten's most potent offensive threats. In a conference that includes traditional powers like Michigan State, UCLA, and Illinois — ranked No. 3, No. 6, and No. 3 respectively in Andy Katz's latest Power 44 — the Trojans' guard play could be a differentiator.
For Arenas, the award marks a significant milestone in a career that has been disrupted by injury. After missing nearly half of his freshman season, the sophomore has now demonstrated the ability to score efficiently at the collegiate level, combining inside scoring with improved free-throw shooting. His 85% mark from the charity stripe against Wichita State suggests growth in an area that often determines close games.
The challenge for USC will be sustaining that production as the schedule stiffens. The Trojans' early-season success has been fueled largely by their backcourt; whether the frontcourt can stay healthy and avoid foul trouble remains an open question. Cofie, who missed time with back spasms, played just 16 minutes before fouling out on Sunday.
Still, Arenas' honor signals that USC may have found the kind of consistent perimeter scoring needed to compete in a conference as deep as the Big Ten. For a program seeking its first NCAA Tournament appearance under Musselman, the early returns are promising.
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