Preview: Rutgers Scarlet Knights at Southern California Trojans

LOS ANGELES (Interstat) — The Southern California Trojans, riding a strong season, will look to rebound from a narrow defeat when they host the struggling Rutgers Scarlet Knights in a Big Ten men’s basketball matchup Saturday at Galen Center.

The Trojans (15-6) enter having lost three of their last four, but all were competitive conference battles, including a 73-72 heartbreaker at Iowa on Wednesday. In that game, guard Kam Woods erupted for 33 points, showcasing the explosive scoring ability he will bring into Saturday’s contest. Southern California has been formidable at home this season, boasting a 10-2 record in Los Angeles.

Conversely, Rutgers (9-12) seeks to halt a four-game skid, most recently falling 88-79 in overtime to Michigan State on Tuesday. The Scarlet Knights’ challenges are underscored by their 1-6 record in true road games. Their fortunes often hinge on the performance of guard Tariq Francis, who has been a bright spot during the difficult stretch. Francis is averaging 22.1 points over his last seven games, including a 30-point outing in a win over Northwestern and 23 points against the Spartans.

This game presents a stark contrast in trajectories. Southern California remains in the upper tier of the conference race, needing wins to solidify its postseason resume. Rutgers is mired near the bottom, desperate for a signature road victory to spark its season. The Trojans’ balance, led by Woods and supported by contributors like Ezra Ausar and Chad Baker-Mazara, will test a Rutgers defense allowing 77.4 points per game in conference play.

The key matchup will be on the perimeter, where Francis’s scoring prowess for Rutgers meets Woods’s dynamic offensive game for USC. If the Trojans contain Francis and leverage their home-court advantage, they are positioned to prevail. For Rutgers, pulling an upset will require a herculean effort from Francis and significantly more production from his supporting cast to overcome USC’s depth and home dominance.

Tip-off is set for Saturday, Jan. 31, 2026, at Galen Center.