Tulane, down two starters, takes on USC in Crown

The transfer portal is wide open, and Tulane has been viewing it from the wrong side.

The Green Wave (19-14) have lost two starting players to the portal as they gear up to play Southern California (16-17) on Tuesday night in the inaugural College Basketball Crown tournament in Las Vegas.

Kaleb Banks, who was Tulane's second-leading scorer (14.7 points per game) and leading rebounder (6.7) entered the portal and hasn't yet chosen a new destination. Fifth-leading scorer Kam Williams (9.3) also put his name in and has committed to Kentucky.

Leading scorer Rowan Brumbaugh is with the Green Wave in Las Vegas, but he declined to promise a return to the program. He's averaging 15.7 points and also leads the squad in assists (4.8) and steals (1.5).

"I love it here and there's nothing more from a people or basketball school perspective that I'd want. It's more of a financial thing at the end of the day," Brumbaugh told reporters. "When you look back five years from now, do you regret not taking advantage of a big opportunity? I love it here and there's nothing more Tulane can do for me at the end of the day."

Brumbaugh and Tulane have won eight of their past 12 games. The Green Wave reached the semifinals of the American Athletic Conference tournament before losing to top-seeded Memphis 78-77.

USC has dropped nine of its last 12 games, while struggling in its first season in the Big Ten.

Trojans coach Eric Musselman is busy working the portal in hopes of adding talent to his squad.

A frequent complainer about Big Ten travel, Musselman said his first season at USC has been full of lessons.

"We learned a lot," Musselman said. "The first year on any job is to set a culture and a foundation. I think we did that."

As of now, it appears USC's best two players are returning.

Desmond Claude leads the Trojans with a 16.3 scoring average, while Wesley Yates III chips in 14.1 per outing.

Reserves Kevin Patton Jr. (3.1 ppg) and Isaiah Elohim (2.1 ppg) are the only USC players to enter the portal up to this point.

The winner faces either Colorado or Villanova on Thursday.

--Field Level Media