Southwest Maui Invitational to feature USC among 8 participating teams

Last year was the Acrisure Classic. This upcoming season, USC was one of seven teams invited to the Maui Invitational in Lahaina, Hawai'i. With Chaminade, a Division II program, acting as hosts, the Southwest-sponsored event is set to take place November 24-26 later this year.

With the Trojans, the other invited schools are Texas, Arizona State, Boise State, North Carolina State, Seton Hall, and Washington State. At that point, it will be fairly early on in the season and should be an excellent testing ground for this version of coach Eric Musselman's team.

A lot is unknown in terms of how the Trojans will look this year and how the second-year HC will work the rotations. Between the latest announced new transfers, the talented freshmen, and carryovers, the program should be able to comfortably take a further step this year.

A tradition that has been a college basketball staple since 1984, the Maui Invitational marks the time of year when the schedule is well underway and the return of conference tends to be right around the corner at that time.

On a year-to-year basis, it's impossible to predict how teams will look and who exactly will be competitive. Regardless of who ends up separating themselves from the pack, late November tests against the likes of the Longhorns and Wolfpack help. The staff will be able to get a good sense of where the roster is at at that point and make some final tweaks before the heart of Big Ten play commences.

Return after 13 year absence

It has been since 2012 when the Trojans last played in the tournament. That side was led by coach Kevin O'Neill at the time. With an opening round win against Coppin State, that year's Trojans lost to the eventual champions in Illinois in the quarter-finals. They then beat Texas in overtime to go on to play Marquette in the fifth-place consolation matchup, where they suffered a defeat to the Golden Eagles. Coach Musselman will hope to see his squad advance further in the Aloha State.