Indiana Hoosiers vs Usc Trojans Picks and Predictions January 8th 2025

Indiana leaning on Oumar Ballo with USC set to visit

With Malik Reneau sidelined due to a right knee injury, Indiana University is turning to Oumar Ballo to anchor its offense and defense. As the Hoosiers prepare to face Big Ten rival Southern California (USC) on Wednesday night in Bloomington, Indiana, Ballo’s performance could be the deciding factor in maintaining their strong conference start.

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Ballo’s Rising Role for Indiana

Oumar Ballo has shown flashes of dominance this season and in his prior two years at Arizona. Now, with Reneau’s absence removing 14.1 points and 5.9 rebounds from Indiana’s lineup, Ballo’s contributions are more critical than ever.

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Recent Standout Performance

Ballo delivered an exceptional game against Penn State on Sunday, notching 25 points and 13 rebounds in Indiana’s 84-74 victory. His efforts underscored his potential to step into a leading role, especially with head coach Mike Woodson emphasizing his importance.

“We’re featuring him now,” Woodson said. “He’s always been a double-double guy in his career. With Malik out, we’re giving him more opportunities to lead.”

Season Stats

• Points per Game: 13.6
• Rebounds per Game: 9.6 (team-high)
• Role: Expected to be Indiana’s primary offensive option against USC.

Indiana’s Supporting Cast

While Ballo will shoulder much of the load, Indiana’s depth ensures he won’t be a one-man show.

• Mackenzie Mgbako: Coming off a 20-point game with four 3-pointers, Mgbako adds a versatile scoring threat. Averaging 14.1 points per game, he complements Ballo’s inside presence with perimeter shooting.
• Myles Rice: Contributing 12 points and 3.2 assists per game, Rice provides playmaking and scoring consistency.

USC’s Challenges

USC (9-5, 1-2) enters the matchup following an 85-74 loss to Michigan, where the Trojans struggled against size in the paint. Michigan’s two 7-footers combined for 21 points and 13 rebounds, exposing a vulnerability that Ballo can exploit.

Key Player for USC

• Desmond Claude: The Xavier transfer is USC’s top scorer, averaging 14.9 points per game on 51.5% shooting. However, USC’s lack of size in the frontcourt may make it difficult to contend with Indiana’s physicality.

A Tough Road Ahead

USC faces a grueling schedule, with three road games in the next five. Trips to Illinois (ranked No. 13) and Nebraska add to the challenge. First-year head coach Eric Musselman acknowledges the uphill battle.

“This is a league that dominates at home,” Musselman said. “The next three road opponents have a combined two losses at home. It’s a real test for us.”

Indiana’s Strategic Advantage

Dominating the Paint

At 7-foot-0 and 265 pounds, Ballo is poised to be a mismatch for USC’s smaller lineup. With a team-first mentality and increased offensive touches, he could repeat or even exceed his recent standout performance.

Perimeter Support

The Hoosiers also benefit from Mgbako’s shooting range and Rice’s playmaking ability. Their combined efforts ensure Indiana’s offense remains balanced, even as Ballo takes center stage.

Home-Court Advantage

The Big Ten is notorious for its home-court dominance, and Indiana is no exception. With a 12-3 overall record and a 3-1 conference mark, the Hoosiers look to capitalize on their home support to keep pace in the standings.

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Game Implications

For Indiana (12-3, 3-1), this game represents an opportunity to solidify their position near the top of the Big Ten standings, even without one of their key players. Meanwhile, USC aims to rebound from its Michigan loss and gain momentum during a tough stretch of road games. Both teams are looking to build their résumés as conference play intensifies.

Final Thoughts

Indiana’s reliance on Oumar Ballo is a strategic necessity with Malik Reneau out. His ability to dominate inside, supported by Mgbako and Rice, makes the Hoosiers a formidable challenge for USC. The Trojans must find ways to neutralize Ballo’s size and capitalize on Claude’s offensive efficiency if they hope to pull off an upset in Bloomington.