USC Heads to State College for First-Ever Matchup at Penn State
STATE COLLEGE, Pa. - The Trojans are hitting the road again, and this one’s historic. USC men’s basketball (17-6, 6-6 Big Ten) heads to Happy Valley for the first time in program history to face Penn State (10-13, 1-11 Big Ten) at the Bryce Jordan Center. It’s only the third time these two programs have ever squared off, and the first time the Trojans will take the floor in State College.
Tip-off is set for Sunday, Feb. 8 at 9 a.m. PT on the Big Ten Network.
Riding the Wave
USC rolls into this matchup with some serious momentum. The Trojans are fresh off a gritty 81-75 win over Indiana - their third straight victory - and they’ve got their backcourt to thank for it.
Alijah Arenas and Kam Woods were electric, combining for 47 points. Arenas poured in a career-high 29, while Woods added 18, and the duo came alive late, scoring 30 of their points in the second half to fend off a furious Indiana rally.
That second-half poise was key. Indiana trimmed a 14-point deficit all the way down to three in the final minute, but USC held firm.
The Trojans shot 46.3% from the field and clamped down defensively, holding the Hoosiers to just 28.6% from beyond the arc - well below their season average. Add in a commanding 40-25 advantage on the boards, and it’s clear USC didn’t just win - they imposed their will.
Scouting Penn State
Penn State is still finding its footing in Big Ten play. The Nittany Lions are coming off a tough 110-69 loss at No. 2 Michigan, but they did notch their first conference win just before that, knocking off Minnesota at home.
Defense is where Penn State has shown flashes, thanks in large part to freshman Kayden Mingo. The young guard leads the Big Ten in steals with 2.15 per game and is second on the team in scoring at 13.7 points per contest. He’s one of eight freshmen on the roster - a clear sign that this is a team in the midst of a rebuild.
Leading the offensive charge is Freddie Dilione V. The sophomore guard is averaging 14.1 points per game and has hit the 25-point mark twice this season, including a standout performance in the win over Minnesota.
Senior Josh Reed is the only Nittany Lion to start at least 22 of the team’s 23 games. He’s averaging 10.3 points and 3.9 rebounds per game, providing some much-needed veteran stability.
Head coach Mike Rhoades is in his third season at the helm in State College, compiling a 42-45 record during his tenure. Before Penn State, Rhoades had successful stints at VCU, Rice, and Randolph-Macon, and brings a career record of 415-234 into this matchup.
Arenas Arrives
Alijah Arenas is quickly making up for lost time. After missing the first 18 games of the season with a knee injury, the freshman made his debut against Northwestern on Jan.
- Since then, he’s wasted no time showing why there was so much buzz around his arrival.
Against Indiana, Arenas exploded for 29 points and six rebounds - both career highs - and was the engine behind USC’s second-half surge. He dropped 19 of his 29 points after halftime, showcasing a mix of confidence, shot-making, and composure that belies his limited experience.
Close Calls, Big Results
USC has made a habit of thriving in high-pressure moments. The Trojans are 6-1 in one-possession games and a perfect 2-0 in overtime, leading the Big Ten in one-possession wins.
That clutch gene has separated them from the pack - Nebraska (4) and Rutgers (3) trail USC in that department - and it’s not just a Big Ten thing. USC leads all high-major programs in one-possession victories, ahead of squads like Virginia Tech and Clemson.
It’s a testament to their late-game execution, poise under pressure, and the emergence of go-to scorers like Arenas and Woods.
Injury Report
USC’s depth has been tested all season. Guard Rodney Rice is out for the year following shoulder surgery, while forward Amarion Dickerson is sidelined for several months with a hip injury.
Jordan Marsh recently returned to action after missing three games with turf toe and logged minutes against Indiana. Arenas, of course, is back and making an immediate impact after his extended absence.
What’s Next
This road trip marks the final two-game swing away from home for USC in the regular season, and Sunday’s game is a chance to keep building momentum. With Arenas finding his rhythm, Woods steadying the backcourt, and the Trojans proving they can win the close ones, USC is starting to look like a team that’s hitting its stride at just the right time.
First, though, they’ll have to handle business in a building they’ve never played in before - against a young, hungry Penn State squad looking to play spoiler.