Eric Musselman Went All In on Size and USC's Title Blueprint Came Straight From Michigan's Playbook
After finishing 18-14 last season, Eric Musselman looked at what worked in college basketball and made a bold decision: the Trojans needed to get bigger. Way bigger. When the Big Ten emerged as a dominant force during the 2025 season, Musselman noticed something specific that could change everything for USC heading into 2026.
The Big Ten Blueprint
Here's what jumped out: Illinois and Michigan both made the Final Four, and Michigan straight up won the National Championship with dominant tournament performances. The common denominator? Size. Michigan's frontcourt was so imposing that opposing teams couldn't score in the paint and couldn't stop the Wolverines either. Musselman watched this unfold and decided USC needed to chase that same formula. So he went to the transfer portal and added a significant amount of size to the roster.
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The biggest move Musselman made was recruiting former UConn center Eric Reibe from the transfer portal. This isn't some raw prospect either. Reibe played for Dan Hurley at UConn and has real NCAA Tournament experience under pressure, which matters when you're trying to help a young roster handle the intensity of March.
During his 2025 season with the Huskies, Reibe appeared in all 40 games and started five of them, averaging 5.9 points and 3.3 rebounds per game. Standing 7-foot-1 and weighing 260 pounds, he brings the kind of length and presence USC needs.
On defense, that length alters shots at the rim and limits offensive rebounds. On offense, he can set screens to open up the perimeter for guards and develop into a rim finisher who can grab offensive boards and extend possessions. It's the exact kind of versatile frontcourt anchor that won Michigan a title.
Musselman is betting that adding this kind of size will create the momentum shift the Trojans need to compete at the highest level.
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This article was created with AI assistance and reviewed by Seattle On Tap editorial staff. Always verify information with official team sources.