Illinois Basketball vs USC Gameday Guide & Prediction

Illinois basketball will head west for a two-game road trip following its 20-point home victory over Indiana. The Illini open the trip Wednesday night with a Quad 1 matchup against USC.

Date: Wednesday, February 18
Time: 9:00 p.m. CST
Channel: BTN
Line: Illinois -8.5

Illinois enters as an 8.5-point road favorite against a USC team currently projected to make the NCAA Tournament. The Trojans sit firmly on the bubble and will need to stack wins down the stretch to secure a spot in the Big Dance.

USC is just 2-9 in Quad 1 games, with wins over Seton Hall and Wisconsin. The Trojans will welcome star guard Chad Baker-Mazara back into the lineup after he missed their last two games. Baker-Mazara, alongside Alijah Arenas, forms a dynamic backcourt capable of scoring at a high level.

Despite having two elite scoring guards, USC ranks just No. 78 nationally in adjusted offensive efficiency, according to KenPom. Arenas has played only seven games this season, and Baker-Mazara missed two of those contests, which has impacted the Trojans’ overall rhythm.

Illinois basketball appears to be the more complete team, especially with Kylan Boswell back in the fold. Forward Andrej Stojakovic traveled with the team to Los Angeles but is a game-time decision for Wednesday night. If both are available, Boswell and Stojakovic will likely be tasked with slowing down Arenas and Baker-Mazara.

The Illini suffered a home upset loss to the Trojans last season and will look to return the favor Wednesday night. Expect Illinois to control the glass as they did against Indiana, and force USC to beat them from beyond the arc. The Trojans have struggled from three-point range and are not a strong rebounding team, giving Illinois the edge in this matchup.

Prediction: Illinois 79, USC 70

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