USC’s Alijah Arenas Tears Meniscus — Freshman Expected to Miss 6–8 Months
USC freshman star Alijah Arenas suffers a torn meniscus with a bone bruise. Surgery will sideline him for 6–8 months, jeopardizing his 2025–26 season.
LOS ANGELES — Highly touted USC freshman Alijah Arenas will miss at least six to eight months following surgery to repair a torn meniscus and treat a bone bruise, according to multiple reports. The injury delivers another major setback after his recovery from a severe Tesla Cybertruck crash earlier this year.
A university-released MRI confirmed the severity of the injury and outlined the recovery timeline, casting doubt over Arenas’ availability for USC’s 2025–26 campaign. Coach Eric Musselman praised Arenas’ spirit and emphasized that “his health is our No. 1 priority.»
At 18 years old, Arenas emerged as a five-star recruit and standout shooting guard—ranked No. 7 nationally (247Sports composite) and No. 13 in ESPN 100—who had already survived a near-fatal accident that claimed headlines.
4. Why This Matters for Bettors and Fans
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For Fans: What had been a thrilling freshman storyline now turns uncertain. USC must reconfigure offensive plans without its prized recruit.
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For Bettors: Early futures and player prop markets may get a bump as betting models adjust to USC’s altered roster dynamic.
5. Takeaways for Bettors
Benefits:
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Futures odds may drift, offering value if USC is still underestimated without Arenas.
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Sharps might anticipate other players stepping up, creating betting angles before lines are adjusted.
Risks:
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Models will face volatility in projecting USC’s performance without Arenas’ scoring punch.
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Prop bets tied to freshman contributions will be entirely deflated.
6. Line Movement Insights
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Early Movement: Sharp bettors might downsize USC’s win total or future placement odds, while targeting boosted props for secondary scorers.
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Late Movement: Public bettors may overcorrect once chatter peaks—look for inflated lines vs. mid-majors.
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Smart vs. Casual Money: Observe shifts in first-half lines and bench scoring props—indicative of insider adjustments to Arenas’ absence.
7. News Summary
USC freshman guard Alijah Arenas has suffered a torn meniscus and bone bruise, sidelining him for 6–8 months after surgery. This latest development follows his recovery from a serious car accident and casts heavy doubt over his availability in the upcoming season, affecting betting expectations and roster planning.
