USC Men’s Basketball returns to the Galen Center to face the Bobcats

On By Littum

Men’s Basketball | 13 December 2024

LOS ANGELES – After a week off from games, the USC Men’s Basketball team (6-4, 1-1 Big Ten) will be back at the Galen Center for their next four-game homestand. As they return to non-conference play, the Trojans will take on the Bobcats of Montana State this Sunday, December 15th. Tip-off will be at 5 p.m., as fans can watch on the Big Ten Network.

LAST TIME OUT

USC traveled to the first Big Ten Conference road game of the season as they faced a familiar foe in Washington. The Trojans had a phenomenal start to the homecoming Wesley Yates III and trainers Quincy Pondexter and Will Conroy as they put up a season-high 51 points in the first half. As the second half began, the Trojans continued to keep the pressure on the Huskies as they came away with the 85-61 victory over their former Pac-12 rival.

Desmond Claude led the offense for the second straight game as he tallied 20 points. Close behind him was Yates III, who scored 19 points along with Saint Thomaswho also contributed 19 points. Another Trojan finished the night with double-digit points, and that was it Rashaun Ageewho grabbed 15 points.

USC – MONTANA STATE HISTORY

It will be the second time these two teams play each other in USC Men’s Basketball history. The last time they saw each other was in the 1968-69 season, when the Trojans took the Bobcats in overtime.

SPECIFY BOBCATS

  • Montana State has an overall record of 5-5 on the season. Last season, the Bobcats finished the regular season with a 14-17 record before winning the Big Sky Conference Championship, which earned them a spot in one of the NCAA Tournament’s first four games, where they ultimately lost to Grambling.

  • The Bobcats are an elite team when it comes to three-pointers. Not only are they 31st in the country in three-pointers, averaging 10.2 per game, but they are also good at defending the arc, holding their opponents to 26.9 percent from three.

  • Montana State returned key members of the team that helped them win last season’s Big Sky Championship, and those same players are taking a leadership role for the Bobcats this season. Three of the five starters were key contributors to the team last season.

  • Junior forward Brandon Walker has had the biggest impact on the offense. He leads the Bobcats in points with an average of 14.3 a game. He was selected to the Big Sky All-Preseason team after earning All-Big Sky Honorable Mention honors last season.

  • Former Trojan Max Agbonkpolo returns to the Galen Center for the first time since 2022. Since arriving in Bozeman, he has started in all 10 games while averaging 12.2 points and 5.9 rebounds per game. match.

  • Jade Mullins has been an impact player for the Bobcats. Since transferring from Washington State, he has started every game and leads the team in assists with an average of 3.7 per game. match.

AGAINST THE BIG SKY

When it comes to teams in the Big Sky Conference, the Trojans have typically found success. USC Men’s Basketball has a 35-4 overall record when it comes to facing teams in the Big Sky.

BE ATTENTIVE

When it comes to getting to the free throw line, Desmond Claude has made it to the line the most on USC’s team. He draws an average of 5.8 fouls per game. match. His best game at the charity stripe came against Washington when he made a season-high nine free throws on 11 attempts. He also went 8-for-9 against UT Arlington earlier this season.

BUZO’S BUCKETS
Chibuzo Agbo is second on the team in points as he currently has 117 this season. Agbo is also crucial to the team from beyond the arc. When he makes at least one three-pointer in a game, the team has an 8-2 record. When Agbo doesn’t make a three, the team is 0-2.