The University of Southern California (USC) women’s basketball program has officially released its nonconference schedule for the 2025–2026 season, setting the stage for what is expected to be a pivotal year under head coach Lindsay Gottlieb. Following a strong campaign last season that saw the Trojans return to national prominence, anticipation is high as the program looks to build on its momentum with a challenging and nationally relevant slate of early-season matchups.
The schedule features a balanced mix of home games, high-profile road contests, and neutral-site matchups that will test the Trojans before the rigors of Pac-12 play begin. With a core group of returners led by All-American candidates and a top-10 incoming recruiting class, USC is poised to make a serious push toward deep postseason contention.
USC opens the season at home at Galen Center, hosting UC Riverside in an early November tip-off that serves as a tune-up for the tougher competition ahead. From there, the Trojans travel to Las Vegas to participate in the annual “Thanksgiving Invitational,” where they will face perennial NCAA Tournament teams Michigan State and Louisville in back-to-back games. The Vegas tournament is expected to draw national attention, and the matchups will offer USC an early chance to prove itself against elite-level opposition.
Following their return from Nevada, the Trojans will host a trio of nonconference opponents in a five-game homestand that includes matchups against Pepperdine, San Diego State, and Ivy League powerhouse Princeton. The Princeton game in particular stands out as a battle between two contrasting styles, with USC’s size and athleticism pitted against the Tigers’ disciplined and methodical approach.
One of the most anticipated games of the nonconference schedule comes in mid-December when USC travels to play UConn at the XL Center in Hartford. This will mark the first time in nearly two decades that USC has played the Huskies on the road, and the game is expected to be televised nationally. With both programs ranked in the preseason top 15, the clash promises to be a marquee moment in women’s college basketball’s early calendar.
Another headline matchup awaits shortly thereafter, as the Trojans welcome Tennessee to Los Angeles for a home-and-home series continuation. Last season’s thriller in Knoxville ended in USC’s favor, and the Lady Vols are sure to be looking for revenge in what could be a packed Galen Center crowd.
USC wraps up its nonconference slate with a pair of road games at Fresno State and Cal Poly—two in-state rivals that present logistical advantages while still challenging the Trojans to stay focused ahead of conference play. Both games also offer opportunities for fan engagement in regions with strong Trojan alumni presence.
Coach Gottlieb has emphasized the importance of building a schedule that not only prepares her team for Pac-12 play but also gives them a national platform. “We want to challenge ourselves early,” she said in a statement. “These games will test our depth, our poise, and give us the experience we need to be successful when the postseason comes around. We’re excited to face top competition and show the country what USC basketball is about.”
The nonconference schedule also reflects USC’s growing stature in women’s basketball. With more nationally televised games, top-tier opponents, and a deeper, more talented roster, the Trojans appear primed for a breakout season. Fan expectations are high, and so too are the stakes, as USC looks to establish itself as one of the nation’s elite programs heading into the new year.
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