USC announces 2016-17 men’s basketball schedule

The USC men’s basketball team has announced its schedule for the 2016-17 season. Included are all of the nonconference games and the Pac-12 opponent and date windows for games. The Pac-12 schedule is expected to be finalized by early September when television assignments are determined.

The 2016-17 Trojans are coming off a 21-13 season and first NCAA Tournament appearance since 2011. USC returns three starters from that team, including leading scorer  Jordan McLaughlin, who averaged 13.4 points and 4.7 assists per game.

This year’s team will feature Louisville transfer sophomore guard Shaqquan Aaron, a former top-50 recruit and four promising freshmen: California Division IA Player of the Year guard Jonah Mathews, California Southern Section Division III Player of the Year guard De’Anthony Melton and forwards Harrison Henderson from Texas and Nick Rakocevic from Illinois.

The Trojans will open their regular season with a home game against Montana on Nov. 11 and play 13 nonconference games before Pac-12 play.

The team will face BYU at Staples Center on Dec. 3 as part of the first Hoophall LA tournament.

USC will begin the Pac-12 Conference slate of games on the road the week of Dec. 28-Jan.1 at Oregon and Oregon State. The Trojans will then host the same two schools the week of Feb. 8-12.

The team will play its first two Pac-12 home games vs. California and Stanford the week of Jan. 4-8.

The first matchup with UCLA will be played at the Galen Center the week of Jan. 25-29. USC then will travel crosstown to take on the Bruins the week of Feb. 15-19.

The Pac-12 Tournament will be played at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas from March 8-11.

Fans interested in purchasing tickets can call 213-740-GOSC (4672) and press #3. For season tickets, fans may also purchase direct by going to usctrojans.com.