USC Trojans vs Grand Canyon Antelopes: A New Chapter Begins
As the crisp autumn air settles across college campuses nationwide, basketball season emerges on the horizon with the USC Trojans and Grand Canyon Antelopes preparing to conclude their exhibition schedules. This Saturday night showdown at Global Credit Union Arena in Phoenix represents more than just a preseason tune-up—it’s a glimpse into two programs undergoing significant transitions. With both teams entering new conference affiliations and fielding dramatically restructured rosters, this October 25th matchup offers fans an early preview of what’s to come when the regular season tips off.
The USC Trojans enter their sophomore season in the Big Ten with virtually a clean slate. Last year’s 17-18 campaign, which culminated in a quarterfinal appearance in the College Basketball Crown tournament, now exists merely as a memory with only a single player remaining from that roster. Head coach Eric Mobley has orchestrated a complete overhaul, welcoming ten transfers to Trojan basketball, with Virginia’s Jacob Cofie and Auburn’s Chad Baker-Mazara expected to form the backbone of this reconstructed lineup. There’s also significant anticipation surrounding five-star recruit Alijah Arenas, though fans will need to exercise patience as the talented guard recovers from July knee surgery. USC’s recent exhibition victory over Loyola Marymount (60-51) provided a modest glimpse into what this new-look squad might offer, but questions about team chemistry and identity remain abundant as they prepare for their Big Ten sophomore season.
Meanwhile, the Grand Canyon Antelopes stand at a pivotal crossroads in program history. Having danced in March Madness for three consecutive seasons, the Antelopes now leap into the more challenging waters of the Mountain West Conference—a significant upgrade from their previous home in the Western Athletic Conference. Last year’s impressive 26-8 record ended with disappointment in a lopsided NCAA Tournament defeat to Maryland, and now the program must rebuild after losing its four top scorers. The cupboard isn’t bare, though, as returning players Makiah Williams and Caleb Shaw provide some continuity for a roster heavily supplemented by transfers from established programs: Dusty Stromer (Gonzaga), Jaden Henley (UNLV), Wilhelm Breidenbach (Washington), Nana Owusu-Anane (Brown), Brian Moore Jr. (Norfolk State), and Kaleb Smith (UC Riverside). Their narrow exhibition loss to Baylor (79-74) earlier this month suggests this new-look Antelopes squad might have the potential to remain competitive despite the conference upgrade.
For both programs, Saturday’s matchup represents a crucial evaluation opportunity before the games begin to count. USC’s coaching staff will be scrutinizing how their transfer-heavy roster coheres under game conditions, especially with defensive rotations and offensive timing that only develop through real competition. The Trojans will need to establish their identity quickly before diving into the unforgiving Big Ten schedule, where traditional powerhouses await. Every minute of this exhibition provides valuable data on which player combinations work best and which aspects of their game plan require refinement. The staff will undoubtedly be watching closely to see which players rise to leadership roles in the absence of last year’s veterans.
Grand Canyon, meanwhile, faces the dual challenge of integrating numerous new faces while simultaneously preparing for a significant step up in competition. The Antelopes have built a respectable mid-major program, but the Mountain West presents a different caliber of opponent night after night. Head coach Bryce Drew must determine whether his transfer-heavy approach can maintain the program’s recent success or if adjustments will be necessary. The exhibition against USC offers a perfect measuring stick—a power conference opponent with similar roster turnover issues. How the Antelopes perform against Pac-12 size and athleticism could foreshadow their readiness for their new conference challenges. More specifically, they’ll be evaluating whether transfers like Stromer and Breidenbach can provide the high-level production needed to replace last year’s departed scorers.
For basketball enthusiasts fortunate enough to tune in on KTVK TV or streaming through Fubo, Saturday’s contest offers a fascinating early-season subplot beyond the final score. These are two programs at inflection points: USC attempting to establish itself in an unfamiliar conference while Grand Canyon seeks to prove it belongs at a higher level of competition. The exhibition setting allows for experimentation and extended minutes for bench players who might be crucial as the season progresses. While the result won’t count in either team’s official record, the performances could significantly influence rotations and strategies moving forward. As the teams conclude their preseason preparations and look toward their respective conference challenges, this cross-regional matchup provides a compelling preview of the college basketball season to come—a season where both the Trojans and Antelopes hope to exceed expectations despite the substantial changes to their programs.
