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USC Men’s Basketball Gears Up for Epic Showdown with No. 13 Illinois in the Heart of the Midwest


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Men’s Basketball | January 10, 2025

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. – With the snowfall settling in the Midwest, the USC Men’s Basketball squad (9-6, 1-3 Big Ten) is gearing up for another formidable challenge as they face No. 13 Illinois in Champaign, Illinois. This matchup marks the first meeting between these two teams since Nov. 19, 2022, when the Illini triumphed over the Trojans. Historically, USC holds a 6-3 advantage against Illinois.
 
LAST GAME RECAP
USC began their journey in the Midwest at Indiana University, where they battled the Hoosiers at Assembly Hall. The contest commenced favorably for the Trojans as they established a 10-point lead early on. Nevertheless, this resilient Hoosier team quickly made a comeback, leading to a tied game by halftime. From that point, Indiana intensified their efforts, embarking on several runs to maintain their lead. Ultimately, the Trojans were unable to close the gap, succumbing to a 82-69 defeat against the Hoosiers.
 
Wesley Yates III and Desmond Claude spearheaded the Trojans for the second consecutive game, with Yates III notching 18 points while Claude followed closely with 15 points. Saint Thomas and Chibuzo Agbo also made substantial contributions by scoring 11 points each.
 
PROFILING THE ILLINI

  • No. 13 Illinois stands out as one of the top teams nationally, particularly in rebounding. They rank No. 1 in the NCAA for rebounds per game (45.9), rebound margin (+13.3), and defensive rebounds per game (32.5). Additionally, they excel in scoring, holding the sixth position in the NCAA with an average of 87.9 points per game and a scoring margin of (+21.7).
  • The Illini have sustained only three losses this season, suffering defeats against Northwestern in overtime, Tennessee at the final buzzer, and Alabama.
  • A significant factor behind Illinois’ rebounding prowess is Tomislav Ivisic. This sophomore center ranks third in the Big Ten Conference for total rebounds with 135, averaging 9.0 rebounds per game. He is also the second-leading scorer on the team.
  • Illinois boasts five players averaging double-digit points this season, three of whom have started all 15 games. Kasparas Jakucionis leads the Fighting Illini with an average of 16.4 points per game, followed by Ivisic at 13.1 points per game. Other Illini scoring in double figures include Tre White, Kylan Boswell, and Will Riley, averaging 11.3, 11.3, and 11.1 points per game, respectively.
  • Not only is Jakucionis the top scorer for the Illini, but he also leads the squad in assists and steals. The freshman guard has recorded 76 assists and 18 steals this season, averaging 5.1 assists and 1.2 steals per game.
  • With an average of 11.3 points per game, White has emerged as one of the team’s most effective shooters, displaying a 56.3 percent shooting accuracy from the field.

RECENT PERFORMANCE
Desmond Claude, Chibuzo Agbo, Wesley Yates III, and Saint Thomas have all showcased remarkable performances for the Trojans over the previous five games. Claude has paved the way with an average of 17.4 points and 5 assists per game, alongside a field goal percentage of 49.1. His contributions extend to a true shooting percentage of 61.6 and an assist percentage of 30.6. Agbo has been averaging 14.6 points and 5.2 rebounds, maintaining a low turnover percentage of 6.2 and a true shooting percentage of 60.8. Yates III is also performing well, averaging 12.4 points and 3.4 rebounds per game. Lastly, Thomas leads the team in rebounding with an average of 6.6 per game while contributing 12.2 points per contest. His field goal percentage has improved by seven percent in the last five games, reaching a 50 percent shooting rate.
 
Collectively, the Trojans have sustained an effective field goal percentage of 52.3 percent, a field goal percentage of 46.0 percent, and a three-point percentage of 36.7 percent. Furthermore, they boast an assist percentage of 66.4 percent, placing them in the 99th percentile according to CBB Analytics.
 
COMPETING IN CHAMPAIGN
USC is set to face another challenging Big Ten matchup as they prepare to take on the University of Illinois on their home turf. The Fighting Illini have amassed an impressive overall record of 51-9 at home since 2021.
 
YATES’ IMPACT
Since Wesley Yates III assumed a starting role, he has proven essential to the team’s efforts. Over the past six games, Yates has averaged 13.5 points and 3.5 rebounds per game with a shooting percentage of 44.4 from the field, compared to his overall season averages of 9.7 points and 2.3 rebounds per game.
 
LOCATION OF THE GAME
The game will occur at the State Farm Center on the campus of the University of Illinois. Tip-off is scheduled for 9 a.m. PT on Saturday, Jan. 11. Those unable to attend in Champaign can catch the action on the Big Ten Network or tune in via the ESPN LA app.


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