If you’re looking for a snapshot of just how intense Big Ten basketball has become, look no further than USC’s recent stretch. The Trojans, unranked but undeniably scrappy, have played four straight games decided by six points or fewer. That’s not just a stat - it’s a reflection of the razor-thin margins in a conference where every possession matters and every game feels like March.
USC has gone 1-3 in that nail-biting run, and now they’re set to host a Rutgers team that’s been through its own gauntlet. The Scarlet Knights have played three overtime games in the past three weeks and are still hunting for consistency. At 9-12 overall and 2-8 in Big Ten play, Rutgers might not jump off the standings page, but don’t let that record fool you - they’ve been in the fight.
“This is the toughest league in the country,” Rutgers head coach Steve Pikiell said earlier this month. “We’ve got the most ranked teams, and the only ones who aren’t ranked are the ones who lose to the ranked teams. We beat each other up.”
That’s the Big Ten this season - deep, physical, and relentless.
USC (15-6, 4-6) is coming off a heartbreaker, a 73-72 loss to Iowa, just days after edging Wisconsin 73-71. Both were on the road.
And both were games where freshman Alijah Arenas was back in the starting lineup, continuing his return from a meniscus injury. He’s now logged three starts since coming back, and while he’s still finding his rhythm, his presence has been a welcome boost.
“We’re definitely a resilient basketball team,” said assistant coach Earl Boykins. “We’ve got mentally tough guys in that locker room - the kind of guys you want to go to battle with every night.
The toughness is there. Now it’s about IQ.
That’s the next step if we want to be an NCAA Tournament team.”
And toughness alone isn’t going to cut it in this league. Execution matters. So does having players who can take over games - and USC has a few of those.
Chad Baker-Mazara, the 6-foot-7 senior guard, looked every bit the go-to guy against Wisconsin. He dropped 29 points on 45.5% shooting, his first 20+ point performance since early January. But it wasn’t just his offense - Baker-Mazara took on the challenge of defending Nick Boyd, one of the Big Ten’s top scorers, and held his own.
“Chad looked like an All-American tonight,” said head coach Eric Musselman. “We came out of the second half and Boyd was really hurting us.
We put Chad on him, and he wanted that challenge. He stayed out of foul trouble and defended a great offensive player.”
Three nights later, it was Kam Woods’ turn to shine. The 6-foot-2 point guard exploded for a career-high 33 points against Iowa. He also added a season-best four steals and three assists, showcasing the kind of two-way play that can swing games in this conference.
Meanwhile, Jacob Cofie continues to make a name for himself on the glass. The freshman big is currently seventh in the Big Ten in rebounding during conference play, averaging 7.6 boards per game. His motor and physicality have been key for a USC team that needs every inch of grit it can get in this league.
Rutgers, for their part, has struggled to find consistency on the offensive end. They’re averaging just 70.1 points per game in conference play - the lowest in the Big Ten - and rebounding has been another pain point. Injuries and illness haven’t helped.
The Scarlet Knights recently lost 6-foot-11 center Baye Fall to hand surgery, and he’s expected to miss significant time. Dylan Grant, the team’s second-leading scorer, is recovering from the flu and reportedly lost eight pounds during the illness, according to Pikiell.
Still, Rutgers has a weapon in Tariq Francis. The 6-foot-1 guard has scored 30 or more points three times this season and leads the team with 16.2 points per game.
He’s also deadly from the free-throw line, knocking down 88.5% of his attempts. If the game comes down to late possessions - and in the Big Ten, it often does - Francis is the guy Rutgers wants at the stripe.
RUTGERS (9-12, 2-8 Big Ten) at USC (15-6, 4-6)
📍 Galen Center, Los Angeles
🕓 4 p.m. PT, Saturday
📺 Peacock | 📻 710 AM
Two teams, both grinding through one of the nation’s toughest conferences. One looking to climb into NCAA Tournament contention.
The other searching for a breakthrough. Expect a battle - and don’t be surprised if it comes down to the final possession.
Again.