Men’s Basketball | December 13, 2024
LOS ANGELES – After a week off from games, the USC Men’s Basketball team (6-4, 1-1 Big Ten) will be back in the Galen Center for their next four-game home stand. As they get back to non-conference play, the Trojans will take on the Bobcats of Montana State this Sunday, Dec. 15. Tip-off will be at 5 p.m. as fans can watch on the Big Ten Network.
LAST TIME OUT
USC traveled for their first Big Ten Conference road game of the season as they played a familiar foe in Washington. The Trojans had a phenomenal start in the homecoming for Wesley Yates III and coaches Quincy Pondexter and Will Conroy as they put up a season-high 51 points in the first half. Once the second half began, the Trojans continued to keep the pressure on the Huskies as they came out with the 85-61 win over their former Pac-12 competitor.
Desmond Claude led the offense for the second straight game as he accumulated 20 points. Following up close behind him was Yates III, who tallied 19 points, along with Saint Thomas, who also contributed 19 points. One other Trojan finished the night with double-digit points, and that was Rashaun Agee, who grabbed 15 points.
USC – MONTANA STATE HISTORY
This will be the second time these two teams have played one another in the history of USC Men’s Basketball. The last time they saw each other was during the 1968-69 season when the Trojans took down the Bobcats in overtime.
SCOUTING THE 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, earning 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 made three-pointers as they average 10.2 per game, but they are also great at defending the arc as they hold 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 made the biggest impact on offense. He leads the Bobcats in points, averaging 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.
- Jade Mullins has been an impactful player for the Bobcats. Since transferring from Washington State, he has started in every game and leads the team in assists, averaging 3.7 per game.
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 an overall record of 35-4 when it comes to facing teams in the Big Sky.
DRAWING ATTENTION
When it comes to making it 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. 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 in the 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.
