USC men’s basketball opens a season-defining two-game road trip Sunday at the Bryce Jordan Center, taking on a Penn State team desperate to rebound after a Thursday loss to Michigan. With NCAA Tournament stakes weighing over every possession, this game represents another pivotal test for the Trojans, who are fighting to confirm their postseason ticket in the March Madness tournament.
The Trojans enter the weekend with confidence after protecting home court in an 81-75 win over the Indiana Hoosiers. While that victory pushed USC to 17-6 overall, all of USC’s remaining games are conference play, leaving little margin for error.
Despite the resume boost, the Indiana win came at a cost. Injuries have defined much of USC’s season, and the situation worsened when graduate forward Chad Baker-Mazara exited early in the second half after suffering a “grade 1 knee strain.” Already without junior guard Rodney Rice and senior forward Amarion Dickerson for the season, Baker-Mazara’s absence pushed the Trojans to dig even deeper into an already thin rotation.
But they responded with authority. Freshman guard Alijah Arenas saw increased minutes and poured in 29 points, while senior guard Kam Woods scored an additional 18 points. Second-half defensive plays and clutch free throws sealed a win that showcased the group’s resilience.
That resilience will be tested again on the road.
Penn State enters Sunday reeling after a 110-69 loss at Michigan, one of the most dominant performances the Big Ten has seen this season. The Nittany Lions have lost nine of their last 10 games and occupy the bottom spot in the league standings.
Still, this is not a matchup USC can afford to overlook. Penn State showed offensive firepower even in defeat, led by redshirt junior guard Freddie Dilione V, who scored 19 points, and solid contributions from senior forward Josh Reed and freshman guard Melih Tunca with 15 points each. Playing at home, it’s expected that the Nittany Lions are motivated to turn the page and avoid another setback.
For USC, the key factor revolves around availability and composure. With Baker-Mazara’s future uncertain, many players will have to step up. Arenas’ shot creation and willingness to take responsibility have quickly become central to USC’s offense. Junior guard Jordan Marsh and Woods will also be relied on to manage tempo, take care of the ball, and convert at the free-throw line in crucial situations.
Defensively, the Trojans must avoid mistakes that could allow Penn State to find rhythm early. Rebounding discipline and transition defense will be especially important against a team looking to play free and aggressively.
Sunday’s game is less about standings and more about survival. USC has put itself in a position to control its tournament fate, but doing so requires consistency away from home. Execution, toughness, and the ability to handle adversity will determine whether USC leaves Happy Valley with its momentum intact or lets a critical opportunity slip away.