USC men's basketball continues to turn heads with win to start conference play

USC entered their conference opener in Eugene, Oregon on Tuesday night with a perfect 7-0 record and a newly earned top-25 ranking. The No. 24 Trojans secured an 82-77 victory over the Ducks, improving to 8-0 overall and 1-0 in B1G play. Chad Baker-Mazara led all scorers with 25 points, while USC continues to manage the absence of Rodney Rice, who remains day-to-day with a shoulder injury.

Offensive Takeaways

The Trojans’ offense is hitting its stride, delivering strong performances game after game. Their showing in Maui was particularly impressive, and that offensive prowess continued in the Pacific Northwest, proving once again their ability to execute efficiently in any setting. Five players scored in double figures, led by Baker-Mazara’s 25 points, followed by Jacob Cofie with 17, Ezra Ausar with 13, and Easter II and Brownell each adding 11. Ausar also secured nine rebounds, falling just one short of a double-double.

On the night, the Trojans shot 51% from the field and just under 40% from beyond the arc. They consistently found themselves at the foul line in the second half, which played a significant role in securing their narrow five-point victory. USC attempted 20 free throws, converting 14 of them in the final half.

They also dominated the Ducks in the paint, outscoring them 36-24. The Trojans trailed for much of the first half but managed to enter halftime tied at 39. In the second half, USC was behind for only 33 seconds. Their offense delivered clutch basket after clutch basket, carrying them to the final buzzer.

Defensive Takeaways

For USC, defensive performance has been closely linked to their success on the boards. Rebounding was a significant concern before the team’s trip to Maui, but appeared improved during their time there. Still, questions remained about how that progress would translate to B1G play.

The answer was positive, as the Trojans secured a 35-27 advantage in rebounds. This proved critical in the victory, preventing the Ducks, who shot 47% from the field from capitalizing on missed shots to create additional possessions. Ezra Ausar dominated the paint, collecting nine rebounds, five of them offensive, while Jerry Easter II added seven boards. The Trojans’ offensive production deserves praise, but the defense has clearly upheld its responsibilities.

What's Next

The Trojans are set to hit the court again on Dec. 6, facing off against the Washington Huskies. This matchup marks the Trojans’ B1G Premier, and the school is encouraging everyone attending to wear black. Tip-off is at 3 p.m. PST (6 p.m. EST), with the game airing on the Big Ten Network.