Musselman, known for his success at previous coaching stints at Nevada and Arkansas, took the reins of the USC Trojans in March 2022. The Trojans entered the season with high expectations and a revamped roster.
USC struggled in the first half, trailing by 12 points at the break. However, the Trojans rallied in the second half, cutting the deficit to three points with just over two minutes remaining.
Despite the valiant effort, South Carolina held on to the lead, connecting on key shots down the stretch. Gamecocks guard GG Jackson, the top recruit in the 2023 class, led all scorers with 17 points.
"It's disappointing to lose the opening game, but I'm encouraged by the effort our guys showed in the second half," Musselman said after the game. "We have a lot of work to do, but I believe we have the potential to be a successful team."
Critics point to USC's poor shooting performance, especially from three-point range, as a reason for the loss. The Trojans shot only 24% from beyond the arc.
Supporters argue that the Trojans are still adjusting to Musselman's system and that the team has plenty of talent to improve.
USC will face a tough early season schedule, including matchups against Oklahoma State and Baylor. Musselman and his team will look to bounce back in their next game against George Mason on November 15.