Rodney Rice's triple double gets USC basketball rolling to a 3-0 start

USC improved to 3–0 on the season after pulling away from Illinois State in the second half for an 87–67 victory. Rodney Rice led the Trojans with a 21-point triple-double, becoming just the second player in program history to achieve the feat.

The Trojans entered halftime with a 40–26 advantage, powered by an efficient 85% mark at the free-throw line on 14 attempts. USC also forced six Illinois State turnovers in the opening period, helping them build a comfortable double-digit cushion.

Illinois State surged early in the second half, trimming the lead to seven, but USC responded with composure. The Trojans rebuilt their advantage and ultimately secured their largest lead of the night of 21 points which stood as the final margin.

Despite losing the rebounding battle, USC protected the ball and relied on timely defensive pressure to generate crucial turnovers. The Trojans can feel encouraged by their ability to withstand a push from the Redbirds and reassert control when the game tightened.

Offensive Takeaways

This marks the second straight game in which USC made history on the offensive end. Rodney Rice delivered the program’s second-ever triple-double, while three other Trojans also finished in double figures. Chad Baker-Mazara added 18 points, and Gabe Dynes and Ezra Ausar contributed 14 and 13 points, respectively. Rice rounded out his historic night with 10 rebounds and 10 assists to complete the triple-double.

The 87-point performance was actually USC’s lowest scoring output of the season, as the Trojans are averaging just over 98 points per game through their first three contests.

Defensive Takeaways

The Trojans pressured Illinois State into poor decisions throughout the night, forcing 10 turnovers while committing only four themselves. USC also disrupted the Redbirds’ rhythm from deep, holding them to just 21% shooting from three-point range. Although those misses didn’t translate into a rebounding advantage, they did create opportunities in transition, allowing the Trojans to tally 13 fast-break points. USC’s defensive intensity paid off even further with 15 points off turnovers, compared to just four for Illinois State.

Key Takeaways

The biggest takeaway from this game is Rodney Rice’s achievement, as he recorded USC’s second-ever triple-double which is an accomplishment worthy of celebration, punctuated by his teammates mobbing him afterward. Rice is rapidly establishing himself as the Trojans’ go-to option, once again leading the team in minutes and delivering another standout performance for a talented USC squad.

What's Next?

USC will now have five days off before returning to the Galen Center to face the Troy Trojans on Nov. 14. Tipoff is scheduled for 7 p.m. PT (10 p.m. ET), with the game airing on Big Ten Network.