USC men's basketball put tournament hopes in jeopardy with rough second half

USC split their road trip after falling to Ohio State 89-82 in their second game. The Trojans had a slim lead at halftime but let it slip away late in the second half. They now hold an 18-7 overall record and are 7-7 in Big Ten play.

Alijah Arenas led all scorers with 25 points, marking his third game this season with at least 20. Kam Woods added 14, while Ezra Ausar and Jordan March each chipped in 13, and Jacob Cofie contributed 12. The Trojans seem to thrive on tight contests, as this marks their eighth straight game decided by fewer than 10 points.

Trojans fall to .500 in Big Ten after loss to Ohio State

The Trojans hit an impressive 35% from beyond the arc but struggled once again at the free throw line, sinking just 24 of 33 attempts, while Ohio State went 24 for 25 for a stellar 96%. Free throw shooting remains a glaring weakness and could ultimately be the reason their season ends sooner than hoped. On the bright side, they won the turnover battle and split the boards, which are encouraging signs for the road ahead.

This loss isn’t a big deal. The Trojans split their road trip, which was pretty much expected. Still, it’s crucial they push past the 20-win mark during this upcoming home stand. Their next four games are all in Los Angeles, with only one away matchup against UCLA.

The Trojans have a chance to make a definitive statement at home on Feb. 18 against No. 8 Illinois. That game will be airing on the Big Ten Network with tip-off at 7 p.m. PT (10 p.m. ET).