The wait is almost over for the 2026-27 college basketball season. But while the offseason is long for everyone, the wait isn't created equal — especially for players coming back from season-ending injuries. For those who missed all of last season, or even those who had their years cut short after only 10 or so games, the looming opening tip perhaps means a bit more.
With the transfer portal flipping rosters on their heads from one season to the next, it is easy for players coming back from injury to get lost in the shuffle. Once the seasons start, though, many of those players are lined up for big seasons. Some are returning to programs where they starred before the injury, such as USC's Rodney Rice, while others like Michigan State's Kaleb Glenn may have been part of big plans last season that were derailed before they got started. Others, including Markus Burton and Jaland Lowe, transferred following an injury and are looking for another start.
Whichever way, all are undoubtedly hungry to return to the court. Let's look at a group of such potential high-major difference-makers who either missed all of last season or had it cut short.
Statistics are via KenPom, SR-CBB, CBB Analytics, or Hoop-Explorer unless otherwise noted.
Rodney Rice, USC
Rodney Rice only played in six games last season, but his impact was undeniable: 20.3 points, 3.3 rebounds, 6.0 assists (to 1.8 turnovers), and 1.2 steals per game. Moreover, the Trojans went 6-0 over that stretch with wins over three eventual KenPom top-100 finishers in Illinois State, Boise State, and Seton Hall; he scored 61 points across those three victories. Without him…USC was far from the same. The Trojans went just 12-14 the rest of the year, including only 4-13 against their other KenPom top-100 opponents. They lost each of their last eight games en route to tumbling out of the NCAA Tournament bubble picture.
Rice is a proven bucket-getter, but was also a big part of a Maryland team that ranked seventh in adjusted defensive efficiency in 2024-25. His healthy return, combined with USC bringing back Jacob Cofie and adding Georgetown transfer KJ Lewis, creates some serious defensive potential. Alijah Arenas’s sophomore leap could determine USC’s ceiling, but Rice’s return gives them a bona fide star to raise the floor to that of a likely NCAA Tournament team. Remember: Arenas and Rice never shared the floor last season.
