USC Controls Early Tempo, Withstands 2nd Half Rallies vs. MSU

**Galen Center- LOS ANGELES, LA**

USC was ready with all the hype surrounding MSU’s 2nd longest win streak and a large gathering of Spartan fans in attendance including NBA HOF legend Earving “Magic” Johnson and they came out swinging. An early offensive outburst was just enough to hold out a few MSU rallies, including a critical pair in the second half that pulled MSU within one possession. However, the Trojans stood tall and came away with a 70-64 win and a signature Quad 1 home win for Head Coach Eric Musselman and company.

In a game of inches, the Spartans (18-3, 9-1) came up a handful of free throws short, falling 70-64 with many alumni in attendance. The Trojans raced out to a 22-9 lead almost 8 minutes in and were able to withstand one cold stretch and a second run by MSU to improve to 13-8 (5-5). Most stats were identical, and USC was able to limit MSU’s fast break and obtain a +4 edge while evening out at 34 points in the paint each. MSU shot decent from deep at 5-15 but were unable to finish at the free throw line and didn’t establish a dribble-drive or paint presence until after attempting to climb out of their early hole. The offense settled for a lot of outside and deep shots that led to short possessions early, before settling in on both sides of the ball.

USC had a trio of double-digit scorers with Desmond Claude recording a game-high 19 points (6-13 FG, 6-9 FT), 6 reb and 3 assists, Wesley Yates III had 15 points (5-9 FG, 3-3 3-pt) and 5 reb while Chibuzo Agbo tallied 14 points and 5 boards. Saint Thomas was efficient with 8 points, 8 rebounds and 4 assists but struggled shooting (3-10 FG, 1-5 3-pt).

MSU was held to under 70 points for the first time since–you guessed it, their last loss to Memphis (63-71). Jeremy Fears had 12 points on 3-7 FG shooting (5-8 FTs) with 6 assists and a pair of boards and steals. Jaden Akins finished with 11 points (5-12 FG, 1-5 3-pt), 4 boards and 2 assists. Jaxon Kohler had 8 boards but had only 2 points in 19 minutes while struggling to box out and hold off offensive board crashers. For maybe the first time all season, Szymon Zapala was a non-factor and registered a season low 7 minutes while Coen Carr logged 26 minutes, contributing 9 points, 2 rebounds and 3 assists. Tre Holloman fought foul trouble and like most of his teammates, struggled shooting (2-8 FG, 2-4 FTs) and finished with 6 points, 2 boards and 3 turnovers in 24 minutes. Frankie Fidler provided a few sparks and defensive stops but couldn’t get his shot to fall either (2-8 FGs) with 5 points,7 rebounds and a pair of blocks and steals as well. He has been the lockdown perimeter defender they’ve needed. The rest of the guards continue to be exposed as below average on-ball defenders and mostly due to their lack of size, allows teams to shoot right over them in most cases, uncontested. This is becoming a real problem.

We knew the streak would end at some point, but many figured against UCLA as their defense has been much better than USC and who already beat the Trojans. However, USC gets a ranked, signature win as they fight to keep their NCAA tournament hopes alive. It also keeps them above the final 3 who are omitted from the Big Ten conference tournament too.

USC plays at Northwestern Tuesday night at 9pm. Quick turnaround for MSU and be mentally ready for a low-scoring matchup.

TEAM STATS:

Spartans: 24-57 FG (42.1%), 5-15, 3-PT (33.3%), 11-19 FT (57.9%)

Trojans: 24-57 FG (42.1%), 7-22, 3-PT (31.8%), 15-19 FT (78.9%)

Record/Rankings & More:

18-3 (9-1, 1st-Big Ten) Rankings: #9 AP / #9 Coaches Poll
Updated KenPom- Off: 26th / Def: 13th. Adjusted Tempo: 122nd. SOS Net Rtg: 47th 7.850

Updated Bart Torvik- ADJOE: 25th/ADJDE: 13th / EFF.FGD%: 45.7 (17th) / ORBD %: 36.7 (18th) & DRBD %: 26.0 (29th)

Other Metrics: KPI (16th), ESPN SoR (7th), ESPN BPI (16th), T-Rank: 13th — #5 in FT % (80.3%), #9 in FTM/game (18.7) and sit 16th with 5.2 bpg

FULL KenPom Stats: https://kenpom.com/index.php

FULL Bart Torvik Stats: https://barttorvik.com/#

FULL T-Rank Stats: https://www.warrennolan.com/basketball/2025/net-teamsheets-plus#google_vignette

NEXT ON THE CLOCK:

UCLA Bruins (16-6, 7-4) are hot after suffering a 4-game losing streak (@ NEB, vs. Mich, @MD and @ RUT), with qins vs Iowa, vs. WISC, @ WASH, @USC and recently with an impressive, ranked win over Oregon. This will not be an easier matchup as the Bruins have found their shooting touch and edge after being called out publicly by head coach Mick Cronin. MSU will need to get back to pain dominance, fast break and finishing at the free throw line as the margin for error should be similarly low, in a projected low-scoring affair at Pauley Pavilion. Game is Tuesday, 2/4 at 10:00pm EST on Peacock.