Indiana And USC Clash In Pivotal Big Ten Showdown Tonight

The Galen Center in Los Angeles is set for a high-stakes Big Ten basketball clash as the Indiana Hoosiers wrap up a grueling West Coast swing against the USC Trojans tonight at 10 p.m. ET, with the game streaming live on Peacock. Both teams arrive with plenty to prove and postseason implications on the line, making this matchup one of the most anticipated showdowns of the week in college basketball.

Indiana, sporting a 15-7 overall record and 6-5 in the Big Ten, has rediscovered its form at the perfect time. After enduring a punishing four-game losing streak earlier in conference play, the Hoosiers have turned things around with three consecutive wins. The momentum began with a statement victory over No. 12 Purdue, followed by a dramatic 98-97 double-overtime thriller at UCLA—an instant classic that left fans breathless. The team also notched a win over Rutgers during this stretch, signaling a renewed defensive intensity and offensive rhythm.

“The confidence is real,” according to DraftKings Network’s Dan Johnson, reflecting on Indiana’s recent run. But even as the Hoosiers ride this wave, the toll of travel and minutes played is evident. Three starters—Nick Dorn, Tucker DeVries, and Lamar Wilkerson—each logged at least 43 minutes in the UCLA marathon, while Conor Enright added 39 minutes. To make matters trickier, starting guard Tayton Conerway, who averages 25.7 minutes per game, has missed several contests, leaving coach Darian DeVries to manage a thin rotation.

USC, meanwhile, stands at 16-6 overall and 5-6 in Big Ten play, still searching for consistency but buoyed by a recent 78-75 home win over Rutgers. The Trojans have covered the spread in five of their last seven outings, showing resilience despite adversity. They’ve had to adjust after losing star guard and leading scorer Rodney Rice (20.3 ppg) earlier in the season. The return of prized recruit Alijah Arenas from injury has helped stabilize the rotation, and the rest of the roster has stepped up to fill the scoring void.

Chad Baker-Mazara has emerged as USC’s go-to weapon, pouring in 18.8 points per game while shooting an impressive 90.5% from the free-throw line. He’s flanked by forward Ezra Ausar, who adds 16.1 points per game, and Jacob Cofie, who chips in 9.9 points and 7.4 rebounds per contest on 54.6% shooting. Together, they form the backbone of a Trojans offense that generates most of its points inside the arc—USC ranks just 293rd nationally in three-point rate, preferring to attack the paint and live at the free-throw line.

Indiana, on the other hand, leans heavily on perimeter play. The Hoosiers rank eighth in the nation in three-point rate and 78th in three-point field goal percentage, making them a threat to catch fire from beyond the arc at any moment. Guard Lamar Wilkerson leads the charge, averaging 19.6 points per game and hitting 38.9% of his threes on high volume. Tucker DeVries, who averages 14.1 points and leads the team in rebounding, provides a secondary scoring punch along with Nick Dorn, a sharpshooter connecting on 44.3% from deep.

“That kind of gravity travels,” Johnson notes of Wilkerson’s offensive impact, highlighting how Indiana’s spacing and perimeter movement can challenge any defense. But there’s a catch: Indiana’s road struggles are well-documented, ranking 338th in Haslametrics’ Away From Home metric. Fatigue could be a factor after the double-overtime battle just two days prior, especially with a shortened bench.

Defensively, Indiana has excelled at protecting the paint, ranking 34th in two-point field goal percentage allowed. This strength will be tested against a USC squad that thrives on interior scoring and draws fouls at the second-highest rate in the country. The Hoosiers, however, have sometimes been vulnerable to sending opponents to the line, ranking 246th in free-throw rate allowed. If the whistle blows early and often, the Trojans could find themselves with easy points and a chance to control the tempo.

On the flip side, USC’s defense is built around rim protection and contesting shots, but it tends to allow opponents to fire away from three. While few teams have punished them from deep, Indiana’s high-volume, high-efficiency approach could pose a unique challenge. The Hoosiers will look to exploit any lapses and create runs with timely shooting.

Betting markets reflect just how evenly matched these teams are. As of today, Indiana is favored by 1.5 points (moneyline -115), while USC is a slight underdog at +1.5 (moneyline -105). The over/under has settled around 151.5 to 152.5 points, indicating expectations of a high-scoring affair. Predictions from major outlets lean toward Indiana, with projected scores ranging from 78-75 to 80-75 in the Hoosiers’ favor, but not without reservations about the impact of travel and fatigue.

“Indiana should lean into five-out spacing and off-ball movement because it takes threes at an elite rate, and USC is willing to concede volume from deep,” Johnson recommends. Yet, he cautions, “the only real danger is a whistle-heavy night plus USC’s late-game nerve, and it’s real because USC has thrived in one-possession finishes.”

For the Trojans, the key to victory lies in leveraging their home-court advantage and taking advantage of Indiana’s tired legs. USC’s defensive improvement since January 1st—ranking 29th in adjusted efficiency—could help slow down Indiana’s shooters, especially if the Hoosiers can’t find their legs after Saturday’s marathon.

Fans and bettors alike will be keeping a close eye on the availability of Tayton Conerway for Indiana, as his absence could further strain the backcourt and limit ball pressure. Both teams have shown they can win close games, and with so much at stake in the Big Ten standings, expect a fiercely contested battle right down to the wire.

As tip-off approaches, all eyes will be on whether Indiana’s newfound momentum can withstand the challenges of fatigue and a hostile road environment, or if USC can capitalize on the scheduling break and protect its home floor. One thing’s for sure: with contrasting styles, star power on both sides, and postseason hopes hanging in the balance, this matchup promises plenty of drama and no shortage of storylines for college basketball fans everywhere.

By the time the final buzzer sounds at the Galen Center, we’ll know a lot more about which of these bubble teams is ready to make a real push toward March. For now, the stage is set for a classic Big Ten battle under the bright Los Angeles lights.