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Big Ten Tournament bracket set for the No. 14 USC Trojans

Erik-McKinneyby: Erik McKinney03/10/25ErikTMcKinney
USC Trojans guard Chibuzo Agbo (7) shoots a three-pointer during the second half of their exhibition game at Acrisure Arena
USC Trojans guard Chibuzo Agbo (7) shoots a three-pointer during the second half of their exhibition game at Acrisure Arena (Andy Abeyta/The Desert Sun / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images)

The USC Trojans are in the Big Ten Tournament but have a tough task ahead of them as the No. 14 seed. The Trojans finished the season just 7-13 in conference and suffered a blowout loss to UCLA in the regular-season finale. Five teams finished at 7-13 but Eric Musselman’s program is in the tournament based on a tiebreaker as Nebraska was left out and the Trojans also landed ahead of Iowa.

USC will play the third game of the tournament on Wednesday, March 12, against No. 11 seed Rutgers. That game will air live on Peacock and will start 25 minutes after the end of Game 2 (Iowa against Ohio State).

The Trojans and Scarlet Knights played once during the regular season as Rutgers won at home 95-85. Desmond Claude led the way for USC in that game with 30 points. But Rutgers shot 55.6% from the floor, 45% from three and 92.9% from the line in piling up 95 points. Five Scarlet Knight scored in double figures as freshman standout Dylan Harper led the way with 25 points, nine assists and six steals.

USC got an important home win against Washington in the final home game of the regular season but it’s been a rough stretch for the Trojans to end the year. They went 2-8 over their final 10 games

If the Trojans can get past the first round, No. 6 seed Purdue is waiting next. The Boilermakers also beat the Trojans at home during the regular season, 90-72.

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Garry Paskwietz (1966-2019)

Garry Paskwietz was a pioneer in bringing team-specific sports coverage to the internet. He founded WeAreSC in 1998 and was an Emmy winner for his work with Fox Sports West. Always generous with his time, knowledge, and compassion, he touched the lives of countless USC and high school football fans.

Garry Paskwietz