Preview: Southern California at Penn State

STATE COLLEGE, Pa. (Interstat) — A surging Southern California team visits a struggling Penn State squad in a Big Ten men’s basketball matchup Sunday at Bryce Jordan Center.

The USC Trojans (17-6) arrive with momentum, having won three of their last four games, including an 81-75 victory over Indiana on Tuesday. In contrast, the Penn State Nittany Lions (10-13) are looking to halt a slide after a demoralizing 110-69 loss at Michigan on Thursday, their seventh defeat in the last eight games.

The matchup features a stark contrast in trajectories. USC, in its first season of Big Ten play, sits near the top of the conference standings and is building a strong NCAA tournament résumé. Penn State, mired near the bottom, is searching for consistency and a signature conference win.

A key player to watch will be USC sophomore guard Alijah Arenas. He is coming off a career-high 29-point performance in the win over Indiana, showcasing the explosive scoring ability that makes him the Trojans’ most dynamic offensive threat. Over his last five games, Arenas is averaging 11.8 points.

For Penn State, freshman guard Melih Tunca has seen his role expand dramatically during conference play. After minimal early-season minutes, Tunca has logged 37 minutes in each of the last two games, scoring 15 points against Michigan. His playmaking and energy will be crucial for a Nittany Lions offense that has struggled, failing to reach 75 points in six of its last nine games.

USC’s recent success has been fueled by balance. Alongside Arenas, guards Kam Woods and Ezra Ausar combined for 30 points against Indiana. The Trojans’ defense will look to pressure a Penn State team that committed 18 turnovers in the loss to Michigan.

Penn State’s hopes likely hinge on a return to the form shown in a narrow 77-75 win over Minnesota last Sunday, a game where they protected home court. Guard Freddie Dilione V, who scored 19 points against Michigan, is the team’s leading scorer.

The game tips off at 12 p.m. EST Sunday. USC continues its road trip at Ohio State on Wednesday, while Penn State travels to face Washington.