Chattanooga packs proven resume, out to spoil opener for USC

(Photo credit: Andy Abeyta/The Desert Sun / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images)

The Eric Musselman era tips off at Southern California when the Trojans open the 2024-25 season in Los Angeles against visiting Chattanooga on Monday.

USC debuts as a member of the Big Ten Conference after its tenure in the Pac-12 closed with a disappointing 15-18 finish amid a rash of injuries a season ago.

The Trojans' roster underwent wholesale changes in the offseason with the departure of head coach Andy Enfield for SMU. Enfield went 220-147 at USC, which hired him in 2013-14.

Musselman arrives after going 111-59 the previous five seasons at Arkansas, and 110-34 in four seasons at Nevada. He is one new arrival heading up a roster full of them. Every Trojan who played meaningful minutes last season is gone except Harrison Hornery.

The corps of newcomers includes Chibuzo Agbo, a standout for 2024 NCAA Tournament team Boise State; Bryce Pope, an All-Big West Conference transfer from UC San Diego; and 2023-24 Big East Conference Most Improved Player Desmond Claude from Xavier.

"From a chemistry standpoint, it's about what you can do in the eight-week offseason program," Musselman said of the on-the-fly rebuild. "We're excited about a lot of guys, but a lot of guys need to play with a chip on their shoulder."

Chattanooga, a 21-game winner a season ago, heads into the season picked second in the Southern Conference preseason poll. The Mocs return the preseason SoCon Player of the Year, Trey Bonham, and 2023-24 leading scorer Honor Huff.

Huff averaged 17.4 points per game, while Bonham posted 16 points, five rebounds and 3.5 assists per game after missing the first month.

"Hopefully those guys are hungry among other guys returning," Mocs coach Dan Earl said during SoCon media day. "Super excited to have them both. We're asking them to take another step forward both as basketball players but certainly as leaders."

Chattanooga is seeking a second season-opening win at a power conference opponent's home in as many seasons, this time against a newly added Big Ten program. The Mocs opened with a defeat of Louisville last season.

--Field Level Media