Game Preview and Stakes
This Big Ten showdown features two teams vying for early conference supremacy. Nebraska boasts a 12-game winning streak and leads the all-time series 5-4 against USC. However, the Trojans earned a decisive 75-55 victory in their most recent encounter on New Year's Day 2025 at the Galen Center, where JuJu Watkins dominated with 26 points and drew 12 fouls.[3]
USC's record stands at 9-3 overall with a 1-0 Big Ten mark, showing resilience despite earlier non-conference challenges. Nebraska's undefeated run includes a perfect 10-0 home record. Analysts highlight Nebraska's depth and USC's star power as deciding factors in this global/US trending contest.[1][7]
Big Ten standings place both teams near the top: Nebraska at 1-0 (0.5 GB), USC also 1-0 (0.5 GB), behind leaders like undefeated Maryland (13-0). A win here boosts playoff implications for both programs.[1]
Early Game Action
The game tipped off with a jump ball won by Nebraska at the 10:00 mark, giving the hosts early possession control. USC lost the initial tip, but both teams remain scoreless deep into the first quarter at 9:59. Players like USC's G. Raulusaityte and J. Davidson, and Nebraska's P. Bozan and J. Petrie, are on the court with zero stats so far.[1]
Live stats show win probabilities fluctuating: USC at 55.7% early, Nebraska at 58.4% post-tip. Recent plays include a missed 3-pointer by Jazzy Davidson of USC and a layup by Nebraska's Amiah Hargrove assisted by Callin Hake. The pace is deliberate as defenses set the tone.[1][4]
Key Players and Series History
Nebraska's Logan Nissley shone in the prior loss with 14 points on 4-of-5 threes, while Britt Prince added 10 points, eight rebounds, and four assists. USC relied on Watkins' scoring prowess and Kiki Iriafen's 14 points. Expect similar outputs in this rematch.[3]
Season trends favor Nebraska's consistency (10-0 last 10 games) over USC's 7-3 mark. Spread records: USC 4-3, Nebraska 0-1. This game's outcome could shift Big Ten power dynamics and national rankings.[7]