It’s been a rollercoaster season for USC men’s basketball, but if there’s one bright spot emerging down the stretch, it’s freshman guard Alijah Arenas. And over the past two games, he’s not just flashed potential-he’s taken over. In a Big Ten landscape where star power is often the difference between tournament dreams and early exits, Arenas is beginning to look like that guy for the Trojans.
The road here hasn’t been easy. Before the season even tipped off, Arenas was sidelined by a serious leg injury stemming from a car accident.
It was a setback that could’ve derailed his freshman campaign before it started. But to his credit, he worked his way back-slowly at first, with the kind of ramp-up you’d expect from someone regaining confidence in both body and rhythm.
Now, after weeks of figuring things out, Arenas is showing why he was one of the most talked-about recruits in the country.
Over the last two games, he’s been electric. Last Tuesday against Indiana-a tough, physical Big Ten opponent-Arenas dropped a season-high 29 points and grabbed 6 rebounds, powering USC to a crucial win.
He looked every bit the go-to scorer, attacking off the dribble, pulling up with confidence, and finishing through contact. It was the kind of performance that doesn’t just win games-it changes the tone of a season.
Then came Sunday against Penn State. This time, Arenas didn’t just score-he closed.
He poured in 24 points, knocked down 3 of his 6 attempts from deep, and added 2 blocks and 2 steals for good measure. But what stood out most was his poise in crunch time.
With the game on the line, he delivered the dagger-a game-winner that sealed back-to-back wins for a USC team that desperately needed momentum. That’s not just talent.
That’s clutch.
And let’s not ignore the pedigree. As the son of a former NBA player, Arenas came into the program with expectations already sky-high.
But what’s impressive isn’t just that he’s living up to them-it’s how quickly he’s starting to exceed them. His two-way impact, shot-making ability, and growing leadership presence are all signs that he’s more than just a freshman finding his way.
He’s becoming the engine of this team.
The Trojans are in must-win mode from here on out. Their margin for error is razor-thin, and every game could be the difference between dancing in March or watching from home.
That’s why Arenas’ emergence couldn’t be better timed. When he’s locked in, there’s a different swagger to this group-more pace, more confidence, more bite.
And that edge might be exactly what USC needs to make a late-season push.
Next up: Ohio State on Wednesday. Another challenge, another opportunity. If Arenas can keep this level of play going, not only do the Trojans have a shot to stay alive in the postseason race-they’ve got a rising star who’s starting to look like the next big thing out of USC.