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Indiana Hoosiers Edge USC Trojans in Close Battle
Hoosiers' perimeter shooting and ball security prove the difference in tight matchup
Feb. 3, 2026 at 6:55pm
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In a closely contested college basketball matchup, the Indiana Hoosiers defeated the USC Trojans 78-75. The Hoosiers, led by guard Lamar Wilkerson's 19.6 points per game, relied on their perimeter shooting and ball security to outlast the Trojans, who struggled to contain Indiana's five-out spacing and off-ball movement. USC's Chad Baker-Mazara kept the game close with his 18.8 points per game, but the Trojans ultimately fell short against the steadier Hoosiers.
Why it matters
This game highlighted the contrasting offensive styles of the two teams, with Indiana's reliance on three-point shooting and ball protection clashing with USC's interior-focused attack and free-throw-heavy approach. The outcome could have implications for both teams' postseason aspirations as they jockey for position in their respective conferences.
The details
Indiana's 51.8% three-point rate and 11.2 turnovers per game proved to be the difference, as they were able to limit USC's opportunities to get to the free-throw line and capitalize on the Trojans' 13.5 turnovers per game. USC's Chad Baker-Mazara kept the game close with his 18.8 points per game, but the Trojans' interior-focused offense struggled to match Indiana's perimeter firepower.
- The game was played on Tuesday, February 3, 2026 at 10:00 PM Eastern Time.
The players
Lamar Wilkerson
A guard for the Indiana Hoosiers, averaging 19.6 points per game and shooting 38.9% from three-point range.
Tucker DeVries
A forward for the Indiana Hoosiers, averaging 14.1 points and providing a strong rebounding presence.
Nick Dorn
A guard for the Indiana Hoosiers, shooting 44.3% from three-point range and providing a late-clock scoring option.
Chad Baker-Mazara
A forward for the USC Trojans, averaging 18.8 points per game and shooting 90.5% from the free-throw line.
Ezra Ausar
A forward for the USC Trojans, averaging 16.1 points per game and providing interior presence.
What they’re saying
“We knew it was going to be a tough, physical game, and our guys really stepped up and made the plays we needed to win.”
— Mike Woodson, Head Coach, Indiana Hoosiers
“We had our chances, but just couldn't quite get over the hump. Credit to Indiana, they made the plays down the stretch when it counted.”
— Andy Enfield, Head Coach, USC Trojans
What’s next
The Hoosiers will look to build on this win as they continue their push for a high seed in the Big Ten tournament, while the Trojans will aim to regroup and get back on track in the Pac-12 standings.
The takeaway
This game showcased the contrasting styles of the two teams, with Indiana's perimeter-oriented offense and stout defense proving to be the winning formula against USC's interior-focused attack. The outcome underscores the importance of balanced scoring and ball security in close, competitive college basketball matchups.
