The USC Trojans look for their third straight victory on Saturday afternoon as they are on the road to battle the Minnesota Golden Gophers at Williams Arena in Minneapolis. With a win over the Big Ten foe on Saturday, USC would be over .500 for the first time since opening the season at 1-0.
With 34 minutes played in Wednesday's win over UC Riverside, Maurice Jones is finally averaging under 40 minutes per game this season, at 39.9 minutes per contest through eight games. The Trojans' leading scorer (at 14.8 points per game) has played 319 of a possible 330 minutes this season. The trio of Jones, Aaron Fuller, and Byron Wesley are the only Trojans to start all eight games this season, and are averaging a combined 104 minutes per game this year.
Minnesota (7-1) is undefeated in six home games this season, but will be without leading scorer and rebounder Trevor Mbakwe, who suffered a torn ACL on November 27.
Probable Starters
- USC: Guards Greg Allen, Maurice Jones, and Byron Wesley; forwards Aaron Fuller and James Blasczyk
- Minnesota: Guards Julian Welch, Andre Hollins, and Austin Hollins; forwards Rodney Williams and Eliott Eliason
Notes
The Trojans have not allowed more than 66 points in a game all season, the first time they have held opponents to 66 points or less in their first eight games since 1955. USC last played Minnesota on March 24, 1993, a 76-58 loss in the NIT quarterfinals.
Saturday afternoon's 11:15 a.m. PST contest will be televised by Big Ten Network, with (Dodgers television announcer) Eric Collins and Eddie Johnson on the call. For more USC basketball news and notes, be sure to read Conquest Chronicles.