Penn State Yearning to Break Losing Streak at USC

Penn State’s season has taken a sharp downturn, and the Nittany Lions will try to stop the bleeding when they face Southern California on Tuesday in Los Angeles.

Nittany Lions Desperate for a Turnaround

Just a couple of months ago, Penn State (13-11, 3-10 Big Ten) was sitting pretty with a 12-2 record and a signature win over then-No. 8 Purdue in early December. Fast forward to now, and they’re stuck in a five-game losing streak, having dropped nine of their last 10 games to sink to last place in the Big Ten.

Their latest setback was a 78-54 blowout loss at UCLA, where sloppy play proved costly.

• The Nittany Lions had 18 turnovers, nearly matching their total field goals (19).
• Zach Hicks led the team with 14 points and eight rebounds, but Penn State couldn’t recover from its mistakes.

Adding to their struggles, the Nittany Lions have been dealing with injuries. Puff Johnson and Yanic Konan Niederhauser remain out, while Ace Baldwin Jr. (team-high 14.7 PPG) has been hampered by a back injury, managing just nine points on 3-of-8 shooting against UCLA.

USC Aims to Rebound After Facing Tough Competition

USC (13-10, 5-7 Big Ten) has had its own struggles, losing three of its last four games, but has also faced tough competition. The Trojans secured a statement win over then-No. 7 Michigan State before falling to No. 7 Purdue and dropping a close game to Northwestern.

Despite their losses, the Trojans have seen a breakout performance from redshirt freshman Wesley Yates III, who dropped 30 points against Purdue, showing he can step up in big moments.

• Leading scorer Desmond Claude (16.2 PPG) missed the Purdue game due to a knee injury, leaving USC shorthanded.
• Chibuzo Agbo (11.5 PPG) and Yates (12.5 PPG) will need to carry the offensive load if Claude remains sidelined.

Michigan State coach Tom Izzo recently praised Claude, calling him “the straw that stirs the drink” for USC’s offense. His absence would be a major blow, but the Trojans will still be favored against a reeling Penn State squad.

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What’s at Stake?

For Penn State, this game represents a critical chance to stop their downward spiral and prove they can still compete in the Big Ten. For USC, it’s an opportunity to take care of business at home and move back toward the middle of the conference standings.

Can Penn State rediscover its winning ways, or will USC capitalize on the Nittany Lions’ struggles?