The Wisconsin Badgers are riding high on a five-game winning streak, and they’ll look to keep that momentum alive when they host the USC Trojans at the Kohl Center tomorrow. It’s been a stretch filled with statement wins, late-game drama, and some serious bounce-back energy after a rough patch earlier in the season.
Let’s start with the obvious - Wisconsin is hot. They’ve taken down UCLA, Michigan, Minnesota, Rutgers, and Penn State in succession.
That run includes a marquee upset over then-No. 2 Michigan on the road, a buzzer-beating dagger from John Blackwell to sink Minnesota, and a dominant 27-point win over Penn State.
After dropping games to Purdue, Villanova, and Nebraska, the Badgers have flipped the script and found a winning formula under head coach Greg Gard. It hasn’t been perfect - there are still areas to clean up - but the confidence and cohesion are clearly trending in the right direction.
Now, enter USC. The Trojans come into Madison with a 14-5 record overall, but a 3-5 mark in Big Ten play tells the story of a team still trying to find its footing in conference action. They’ve stumbled lately, dropping back-to-back games to Purdue and Northwestern, and have struggled to string together consistent performances since league play began.
That said, don’t let the recent skid fool you - this USC squad has talent, and they’re not one to overlook.
One of the biggest stories surrounding the Trojans is the return of freshman guard Alijah Arenas. After a harrowing stretch that included a medically induced coma following a car accident, Arenas made his debut against Northwestern.
He’s only been back on the court for about a month, and the rust showed - just eight points on 3-for-15 shooting in 29 minutes - but the potential is still there. Arenas was a highly touted five-star recruit for a reason, and even at less than full strength, he’s capable of changing the game with his shot-making and athleticism.
While Arenas works his way back into form, USC has leaned heavily on veteran guard Chad Baker-Mazara to carry the scoring load. The well-traveled senior - with stops at Duquesne, San Diego State, and Auburn - is having a career year, averaging 18.6 points per game while shooting nearly 45% from the field and 36% from deep.
He’s launching almost six threes per game and has already notched six games with three or more makes from beyond the arc. The catch?
He played just 13 minutes in USC’s last game against Northwestern, so his availability and impact will be something to monitor closely.
Another name Wisconsin fans should circle is Ezra Ausar. The senior forward has been the most consistent presence in the Trojans’ lineup this season, starting all 19 games and putting up 16.2 points, 5.9 boards, and 1.8 assists per game.
He’s not just a paint presence - he lives at the free-throw line, averaging 8.7 attempts per game and hitting double-digit attempts in seven contests. He’s not a flashy player, but he’s efficient and physical, and he knows how to get to his spots.
So what’s the key for Wisconsin?
It starts with defense - particularly inside. USC likes to attack the paint and then kick it out to open shooters.
They average about 20 three-point attempts per game, but their offense is built from the inside out. If the Badgers can clog the lane and force the Trojans into contested shots on the perimeter, they’ll put themselves in a strong position to control the tempo.
But if they’re slow on rotations or give up clean looks from deep, this could quickly turn into a shootout.
The Badgers have been winning with a mix of gritty defense, timely shooting, and smart execution in crunch time. That formula will be tested against a USC team that, despite its recent struggles, has the firepower to make things interesting.
Bottom line: Wisconsin has momentum, home-court advantage, and a clear identity. But USC has enough talent and motivation to play spoiler. Expect a physical, high-energy matchup in Madison - and don’t be surprised if it comes down to the final few possessions.