From the opening tip to the final buzzer, the Galen Center echoed with chants of “ILL-INI,” reaching a crescendo as the Fighting Illini crossed the 100-point mark in the game's waning moments.
This 101-65 defeat marks the toughest loss for USC since Eric Musselman took the helm in April 2024. With a record of 18-8 overall and 7-8 in the Big Ten, the Trojans' NCAA Tournament hopes are slipping away, while No. 10 Illinois (22-5, 13-3) continues to assert its dominance.
Wednesday's drubbing, USC’s second consecutive loss following a setback against Ohio State, encapsulates a challenging stretch for the Trojans.
Illinois wasted no time, launching a 15-3 run to start the game, leaving USC trailing by 22 at halftime. The Trojans seemed deflated as they headed to the locker room.
“If you don’t bring your A-game, you can’t compete with Illinois,” Musselman remarked postgame. “We didn’t even bring a C-game tonight.”
The atmosphere was reminiscent of last month’s loss to Purdue, with opposing fans making their presence felt. This time, however, the margin was a staggering 36 points.
“You can’t play like that on both ends and expect to compete with a top ten team,” Musselman stated. “Everyone in the program needs to reflect on how we can improve.”
Illinois was relentless, scoring 54 points in the first half and 47 in the second. They drained 13 three-pointers, split nearly evenly between halves.
Seven Illini players hit double figures, with the team shooting about 52% from the field, 45% from beyond the arc, and 92% from the line.
Leading the charge was junior guard Andrej Stojakovic, who tallied 22 points in just 17 minutes. Junior forward Jake Davis was also pivotal, hitting all four of his three-point attempts.
USC, on the other hand, managed only 32 and 33 points in each half. Senior forward Ezra Ausar led with 15 points and 11 rebounds, marking his second double-double of the season.
Sophomore forward Jacob Cofie was the only other Trojan in double digits with 14 points, shooting 5-for-12 from the field.
USC’s shooting woes were evident, hitting just 37% from the field and 60% from the line, both near season lows. These numbers dragged their season averages down to about 47% on field goals and 72% on free throws, ranking them 10th and 17th in the Big Ten, respectively.
“We weren’t good enough tonight,” Musselman admitted. “We need to figure out how to play better at home.”
Injuries have been a recurring theme this season. Junior guard Rodney Rice and senior forward Amarion Dickerson are out for the season, prompting the addition of graduate guard Kam Woods midseason.
Graduate guard Chad Baker-Mazara’s recent knee injury has further complicated USC’s plans. Since his injury against Indiana, he’s been sidelined, with USC losing two of the three games in his absence. Musselman mentioned that Baker-Mazara remains day-to-day.
“The injuries have been a significant challenge,” Musselman noted. “It’s not an excuse; it’s our reality.”
Freshman guard Alijah Arenas, limited to 18 minutes due to health issues, was a game-time decision. Despite going 2-for-7 from the field, Arenas briefly returned after a minor leg injury in the second half, scoring one of his two baskets before being subbed out.
Looking ahead, USC aims to sweep their former Pac-12 rivals, Oregon, as they face off at Galen Center on Saturday at 1 p.m., hoping to keep their NCAA Tournament dreams alive.