USC men’s basketball will face Saint Mary’s on Thanksgiving Day

USC men’s basketball has a prime opponent on its nonconference schedule this coming season. The Trojans, whose roster has been filled primarily with arrivals from the transfer portal in a hectic two-month period under new coach Eric Musselman, will face the Saint Mary’s Gaels and coach Randy Bennett on Thanksgiving Day. It’s the second straight year that USC will play a game on Thanksgiving. Last year the Trojans played Seton Hall. The game will be in Palm Desert, California, near the site of the Indian Wells tennis tournament. The game is part of the Acrisure Classic, with USC then facing Arizona State or New Mexico on Friday depending on Thursday’s results.

These two games should give USC a strength of schedule boost. New Mexico was an NCAA Tournament team last season. Saint Mary’s was a No. 5 seed in the NCAA Tournament one year ago. If SMC remains a strong team this coming season, a win over the Gaels would significantly boost USC’s resume.

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Story originally appeared on Trojans Wire