USC's Home Struggles: A Pivotal Stretch for the Trojans
LOS ANGELES - The USC men’s basketball team is navigating a unique season, marked by a grueling travel schedule that has taken them across nine states and over 18,000 miles. Despite their resilience on the road, the Trojans face a perplexing challenge: performing consistently at home.
Head coach Eric Musselman expressed his frustration following a tough loss to No. 10 Illinois, emphasizing the need to replicate their road success at the Galen Center.
“We’ve got to get back to what we’ve been doing on the road, which is playing good basketball,” Musselman stated. The Trojans’ home court woes have been a stumbling block in an otherwise promising season.
With three out of their five remaining Big Ten games at home, starting with Oregon, the Trojans have an opportunity to secure crucial victories. Their recent home games have been a mixed bag, highlighted by a heavy defeat to Illinois and a narrow loss to No. 7 Purdue.
On the road, however, USC has shown grit and determination, notching significant wins at the Maui Invitational and edging out Minnesota in overtime. Their victory over No. 24 Wisconsin underscores their potential when away from home.
Musselman remains puzzled by the disparity in performance, admitting, “We haven’t played good basketball at home and we’ve got to figure out how we can play better.”
The upcoming matchup against Oregon presents a chance for redemption. USC previously defeated the Ducks 82-77 in Eugene, but Oregon will have their 7-foot center Nate Bittle back in action. Bittle, who averages 16.8 points per game, has battled injuries but recently returned to form, scoring 22 points in a win over Penn State.
USC, meanwhile, is contending with its own injury issues. Leading scorer Chad Baker-Mazara remains day-to-day with a knee strain, and Alijah Arenas was sidelined by illness against Illinois.
As the Trojans prepare to host Oregon, the focus is clear: translating their road success into home victories. With the season winding down, these games are pivotal for USC’s postseason aspirations.
Oregon (9-17, 2-13 Big Ten) at USC (18-8, 7-8)
When: 1 p.m.
Saturday
Where: Galen Center
TV/Radio: FS1/710 AM