USC men's basketball watches tournament hopes fade in worst outing of the year

USC dropped its second straight game, suffering a 101–65 blowout at home against Illinois. The Trojans now sit at 18–8 overall and 7–8 in conference play after one of their most lopsided losses of the season.

USC never led at any point, shooting just 37% from the field and 60% at the free‑throw line in a frustrating offensive performance. Their 39% mark from three was the lone bright spot. The Trojans were overwhelmed early, falling behind 54–32 at halftime, and although the second half was more competitive, they were still outscored 47–33. Illinois controlled the game in every phase, offering a stark reminder of the gap USC must close to compete with the conferences and the nation’s top teams.

Bad loss knocks Trojans off the bubble

USC’s recent skid couldn’t have come at a worse time. The Trojans are now projected as the second team out of the NCAA Tournament field, putting their margin for error at nearly zero. With five games remaining, they’ll next face Oregon, a matchup that at least comes at home.

Current projections have USC finishing 20–11, implying a 2–3 record over the final five games, an outcome that would leave the Trojans on the wrong side of the NCAA Tournament bubble. Simply reaching 20 wins won’t be enough. USC likely needs to get to 21victories to feel any measure of security. That path is complicated by two upcoming matchups with UCLA, a series the Trojans will almost certainly need to split. The opportunity to play their way into March Madness is still alive, but the margin for error is shrinking quickly.