USC vs. Iowa: Five Key Storylines as the Trojans Head to Iowa City
USC and Iowa have taken remarkably similar paths through the college basketball season so far. Both teams are sitting on double-digit wins - USC with 15, Iowa with 14 - and both have five losses to their name. They’ve handled business in non-conference play, picked up a few quality wins, and hit some speed bumps against ranked Big Ten opponents.
In fact, three of USC’s five losses have come against ranked Big Ten teams. Same goes for Iowa.
The two even share defeats to Michigan State and Purdue. So when these two square off in Iowa City, it’s more than just another conference game - it’s a potential swing moment for both programs.
The winner stays firmly in the NCAA Tournament conversation. The loser?
Well, they might need to do some scoreboard watching down the stretch.
Let’s break down five things to keep an eye on as USC takes on Iowa in a pivotal Big Ten clash.
1. Slowing Down Bennett Stirtz Is Priority No. 1
If you’re game-planning for Iowa, it starts with Bennett Stirtz. The senior point guard is the engine behind the Hawkeyes’ offense, averaging 18.3 points per game - good for seventh in the Big Ten - along with 5 assists per night.
He’s not just productive; he’s poised. Stirtz plays with a veteran’s control, setting the tempo and making smart reads consistently.
USC head coach Eric Musselman didn’t mince words after the Trojans’ win over Wisconsin, making it clear that Stirtz is at the top of the scouting report.
“[Iowa has] a point guard that plays at his own pace, who’s an All-Big Ten type player,” Musselman said. “We have our work cut out for us.”
Containing Stirtz won’t be easy, but if USC’s perimeter defenders can limit his penetration and force tough shots, they’ll have a real shot at controlling the game’s rhythm.
2. The Trojan Defense Is Trending Up
Early in the season, USC’s offense was humming - but the defense? Not so much. That’s changed in recent weeks.
The Trojans turned in a gritty defensive effort against Purdue, and they followed it up with arguably their best showing of the season on the road against Wisconsin. They held the Badgers to just 34% shooting from the field and a frigid 24% from beyond the arc.
Nick Boyd still got his - dropping 29 points - but USC clamped down on everyone else. Wisconsin’s No. 2 scorer, John Blackwell, was held to just 11 points on 3-of-13 shooting.
That kind of defensive discipline is exactly what USC needs to sustain if they want to make a deep run in March. The offense has shown it can score. Now the defense is catching up - and that’s a scary combination for opponents.
3. Jacob Cofie Is Doing It All
If you’ve been watching USC closely, you know Jacob Cofie has been a difference-maker. The sophomore forward doesn’t just fill up the stat sheet - he impacts the game in every phase.
Against Wisconsin, Cofie delivered another all-around performance: 9 points, a career-high-tying 5 assists, and 11 rebounds. That made him the first Trojan to notch three straight games with 10 or more boards since Evan Mobley back in 2021. He even added a block for good measure.
What makes Cofie so valuable is his versatility. He can stretch the floor, defend multiple positions, pass out of the post, and crash the glass.
He’s the kind of player who makes winning plays - even when he’s not the leading scorer. And right now, he’s playing some of his best basketball.
4. Alijah Arenas Still Finding His Rhythm
There’s no question USC believes in Alijah Arenas. The freshman guard has been given the green light early in his college career, and he’s not hesitating to shoot. But the results haven’t quite caught up yet.
Through his first two games, Arenas is 6-of-27 from the field, 0-of-9 from three, and 3-of-9 at the free-throw line. It’s a small sample size, and it’s clear he’s still adjusting to the speed and physicality of the college game.
The talent is there - that much is obvious. But until Arenas finds his shooting touch, his development will be something to watch. A breakout performance could come at any time, and when it does, USC’s offense becomes that much more dynamic.
5. Can USC Dominate the Glass?
One area where the Trojans have a clear edge is on the boards. Iowa doesn’t have a single player averaging more than 4.5 rebounds per game. Compare that to USC, which features two strong rebounders in Jacob Cofie (7.3 RPG) and Ezra Ausar (6.0 RPG), and it’s easy to see where the Trojans might look to impose their will.
USC averages nearly eight more rebounds per game than Iowa - 37.9 to 30.6. That’s not a small gap. And while Iowa has size - with Cam Manyawu (6’9”), Alvaro Folgueiras (6’10”), and Cooper Koch (6’8”) - they haven’t consistently turned that height into rebounding production.
If USC can own the glass, especially on the offensive end, they’ll give themselves extra possessions and limit Iowa’s transition opportunities - both key factors in a game that could come down to a handful of plays.
The Bottom Line
This one’s big. Not just for the standings, but for momentum, confidence, and postseason positioning.
Both teams have similar resumes, similar strengths, and similar blemishes. But only one can leave Iowa City with a win that could help tip the scales come Selection Sunday.
If USC can slow down Bennett Stirtz, continue their defensive surge, and control the boards, they’ll put themselves in a strong position to pick up a second straight road win - and take a big step forward in the Big Ten race.