USC to open the 2023-24 season in Las Vegas against an Elite Eight team, per report
USC will open the 2023-24 season in Las Vegas against a Kansas State squad coming off a magical run to the Elite Eight last postseason.
According to a report from CBS Sports’ Jon Rothstein, the Trojans will head to Sin City to take on the Kansas State Wildcats on Nov. 6 at T-Mobile Arena. It’ll be the first game of the regular season for USC, which means it’ll be the official collegiate debut of USC’s star-studded freshman class of Isaiah Collier and Bronny James.
A tip-off time has not yet been set and there’s no timetable for an official announcement from the programs, per Rothstein.
On Wednesday, Kansas State received word that forward Nae’Qwan Tomlin would return to school for another year after testing the NBA Draft waters. The 6-foot-10 Tomlin averaged 10.4 points and 5.9 rebounds a season ago for K-State, drawing starts in all 36 games.
He’s expected to be a focal point for the Wildcats next season alongside North Texas transfer Tylor Perry.
The Wildcats will provide a significant test for coach Andy Enfield and the Trojans right out of the gates. USC might take some time to gel on the court following offseason departures from Drew Peterson, Tre White, and Reece Dixon-Waters. This is still expected to be a preseason top-25 team with Boogie Ellis running the show, but Collier and James will certainly have an adjustment period as they get acclimated to the college game.
Kansas State could provide the perfect springboard into the year for Enfield and Co.