USC Trojans Gear Up for Thrilling Showdown Against Michigan in Big Ten Action

Men’s Basketball | January 03, 2025

LOS ANGELES – The New Year is upon us, and USC Men’s Basketball (9-4, 1-1 Big Ten) continues its journey in Big Ten competition as they entertain the University of Michigan Wolverines. The two squads have not faced each other in 44 years, with their last encounter occurring in 1981 when the Trojans triumphed over the Wolverines 77-63.
 
LAST TIME OUT
USC participated in their final non-conference matchup of the season against the Southern University Jaguars. The Trojans took charge of this contest as Desmond Claude’s free throws marked USC’s first points. They maintained their momentum throughout. For the rest of the game, the Trojans kept the lead against the Jaguars, extending their advantage to as much as 31 at one point. Ultimately, USC secured victory in their last non-conference game of the 2024-25 season with a score of 82-51.
 
Four Trojans achieved double-digit points in this encounter. For the second consecutive game, Chibuzo Agbo topped USC’s scoring with 18 points, while Josh Cohen followed closely with 17. Additionally, Claude and Wesley Yates III contributed double-digit points, recording 13 and 11, respectively.
 
SCOUTING THE WOLVERINES

• Michigan has had an impressive non-conference schedule as they prepare to resume Big Ten action here on the West Coast. They boast a 10-3 record this season, with non-conference losses only to Wake Forest, Oklahoma, and Arkansas, all by two points or fewer.
• The Wolverines rank among the top shooting teams in the nation. They sit third in the NCAA for effective field goal percentage (.590) and sixth in overall field goal percentage (.512). Moreover, KenPom rates Michigan as the second-best team in NCAA for two-point field goal percentage, shooting 62.7% from inside the arc.
• A significant contributor to their success is senior center Vladislav Goldin, who ranks fifth in the NCAA and first in the Big Ten for field goal percentage at an impressive 68.3%.
• The Wolverines have utilized the same starting five players in all 13 games this season: Tre Donaldson, Vladislav Goldin, Nimari Burnett, Roddy Gayle Jr., and Danny Wolf. Four of these starters average double-digit points, with Goldin (13.9), Gayle Jr. (12.4), Donaldson (12.3), and Wolf (11.9).
• Junior forward Danny Wolf not only leads Michigan in rebounding but is also among the top rebounders in the NCAA, ranking 15th nationally with an average of 10.2 rebounds per game, achieving a double-double on average.
• Junior guard Tre Donaldson stands out not only as one of the team’s top scorers but also as the assist leader, tallying 49 assists this season, averaging 3.8 per game. Wolf closely trails him with 46 assists.

WHEREABOUTS
The game between USC and Michigan is scheduled for this Saturday, Jan. 4 at 5 p.m. Those unable to attend at the Galen Center can view the event on Fox Sports or listen via ESPN LA 710.
 
THE GALEN ADVANTAGE
USC holds a record of 219-86 at the Galen Center since its opening on Nov. 16, 2006. Furthermore, USC boasts a 111-26 record in non-conference matches at the Galen Center.
 
BOARDS GALORE
One name persistently appears as the leading rebounder for the Trojans, and that name is Saint Thomas. He has either led or been tied for the most rebounds on the team in nine out of the 13 games. He tops the team in this statistical category with 77.
 
STARTING FIVE
Head Coach Eric Musselman is beginning to establish a consistent starting lineup, featuring Saint Thomas, Desmond Claude, Wesley Yates III, Chibuzo Agbo, and Josh Cohen. Of these five, four reached double-digit points against CSUN and Southern. Saint Thomas and Josh Cohen are the only two Trojans who have started every game for USC. With this lineup, the Trojans have achieved four consecutive victories, winning each of these games by 20 points or more. It is the first occurrence since 1954 that the Trojans have won four straight games by a margin of 20 points or more.