When Penn State hosts USC on February 8, it won’t just be another Big Ten showdown-it’ll be a first. The Nittany Lions and Trojans have never faced off in men’s basketball, and the Bryce Jordan Center is about to get its introduction to one of the Pac-12’s (now Big Ten’s) most intriguing squads.
But this game carries weight beyond the court. It’s Penn State’s annual THON game, part of a powerful tradition that supports the fight against childhood cancer.
Since its inception, THON has raised over $254 million, including an incredible $17.7 million in 2024 alone. That kind of impact gives this matchup a deeper meaning, as players compete not just for the win, but for something far bigger than basketball.
USC Comes In Hot
USC enters the game with a 17-6 overall record and an even 6-6 mark in Big Ten play. The Trojans are coming off a solid 81-75 home win over Indiana on February 3, and they’re starting to find their rhythm under second-year head coach Eric Musselman.
This is a group that can score-and score in bunches. Four Trojans are averaging double figures, led by junior guard Rodney Rice, who’s putting up 20.3 points per game while also dishing out 6.0 assists and grabbing 3.3 rebounds. Rice is the engine of this USC offense, and his ability to create off the dribble and find teammates makes him a constant threat.
Right behind him is senior guard Chad Baker-Mazara, a 6-foot-7 matchup nightmare who’s averaging 18.3 points, 4.2 rebounds, and 3.0 assists. He’s the kind of versatile wing every coach wants-capable of scoring at all three levels and defending multiple positions.
In the frontcourt, Ezra Ausar brings muscle and consistency. The 6-foot-9 senior forward is averaging 16.0 points and 6.1 boards per game, giving USC a reliable interior presence.
And rounding out the top scorers is freshman guard Alijah Arenas-yes, the son of former NBA All-Star Gilbert Arenas. At 6-foot-6, Arenas is averaging 11.8 points and 2.8 rebounds in his first collegiate season, showing flashes of the scoring instincts that run in the family.
Penn State’s Youth Movement
For Penn State, this season has been about growing up-fast. The Nittany Lions are the youngest team in any Power 5 conference, and their early Big Ten schedule hasn’t done them any favors.
Through February 5, they’ve already faced five of the top six teams in the league standings. That’s a tough way to start, but it’s also forged a battle-tested group that’s learning on the fly.
Leading the way is redshirt junior Freddie Dilione V, who’s stepped up as the team’s top scorer at 14.1 points per game. He’s also contributing 3.5 rebounds and 2.4 assists, giving Penn State a steady presence in the backcourt.
Right behind him is freshman point guard Kayden Mingo, who’s been one of the Big Ten’s breakout young stars. Mingo is averaging 13.7 points, 3.5 rebounds, and 4.5 assists, making him the third-highest scoring freshman in the conference. His ability to handle pressure and make plays in crunch time has been a major boost for this young squad.
Senior forward Josh Reed, the team’s lone upperclassman, is adding 10.3 points and 3.9 rebounds per game. His leadership and experience are invaluable on a roster filled with underclassmen still finding their footing.
Penn State is hoping to get a key piece back for this one-7-foot center Ivan Juric, who’s missed the last two games with the flu. Juric brings size and rim protection, along with averages of 9.4 points and 5.1 rebounds. His presence in the paint could be a difference-maker against USC’s physical frontcourt.
What to Watch
This game has all the ingredients for a compelling matchup. USC’s offensive firepower versus Penn State’s scrappy, youthful energy. A seasoned Trojans squad trying to climb the Big Ten standings against a Nittany Lions team that’s learning to punch above its weight.
And with the added emotion of the THON game, expect the Bryce Jordan Center to be electric. Tip-off is set for Noon, and the game will be televised live on the Big Ten Network. It’s a first-time meeting, a conference clash, and a cause-driven event all rolled into one.
Get ready-this one could be special.