As the Big Ten Conference regular season winds down, the USC Trojans and Nebraska Cornhuskers find themselves in contrasting scenarios.
The Trojans are grappling with a four-game skid, teetering on the edge of the NCAA Tournament bubble. ESPN’s latest bracketology slots them as a “first four out” team, suggesting they might just miss the cut.
On the flip side, the No. 12 Cornhuskers (24-4, 13-4) are riding high, projected as a No. 3 seed. They’ve been lighting up the scoreboard, recently outpacing Maryland 74-61.
USC coach Eric Musselman emphasized the importance of focusing on the immediate task: “We’re just worried about winning the game. That’s what we gotta worry about. How do we win the next game?”
The Trojans (18-10 overall, 7-10 Big Ten) have seen their tournament dreams take a hit with losses to Oregon and UCLA. The absence of point guard Rodney Rice due to injury has been a significant blow.
In their recent 81-62 defeat to UCLA, USC’s offensive depth was tested. Chad Baker-Mazara led the charge with 26 points, despite dealing with knee issues that sidelined him briefly.
Alijah Arenas added 10 points but struggled with turnovers, committing five in the game. Still finding his footing after missing much of the season, Arenas is averaging 13.9 points per game.
Musselman acknowledged the challenge for Arenas: “When you haven’t played against a level of competition like UCLA... it’s a different level for any player that’s a freshman in (his 10th) game.”
Nebraska, meanwhile, has faced its own hurdles. An undisclosed illness has affected six players, impacting practice and game availability. Bench player Kendall Blue missed the Maryland game, while senior guard Jamarques Lawrence returned but managed just three points and six assists.
Despite starting the season with a program-best 20-0 record, Nebraska has split its last eight games. Head coach Fred Hoiberg remains optimistic: “We have three very important games left... It’s an exciting time of year and the fact that we’re still playing for something very important is awesome and I’m proud of these guys.”
The Cornhuskers are aiming for their first NCAA Tournament win, currently holding an 0-8 record in March Madness. They’re outscoring opponents by an average of 13.1 points, led by 6-foot-7 forward Pryce Sandfort, who’s averaging 17.9 points per game and shooting an impressive 47.4% from the floor and 40.4% from beyond the arc.
NEBRASKA (24-4 overall, 13-4 Big Ten) at USC (18-10, 7-10)
Where: Galen Center
TV/Radio: Big Ten Network/710 AM