USC Faces Rutgers in Big Ten Tournament Opener March 12

The Rutgers Scarlet Knights concluded their regular season with a 15-16 overall record and entered the Big Ten Tournament as the 11th seed, set to face the 14th-seeded USC Trojans in the first round. Rutgers has struggled throughout the season, averaging only 12.6 assists per game and allowing 76.9 points per game, although freshman guard Dylan Harper has emerged as a standout player, leading the team with an average of 19.2 points per game. The previous matchup between Rutgers and USC resulted in a 95-85 victory for Rutgers, where Harper scored 25 points. The Trojans have had a rough season as well, finishing 15-16 and struggling with a 2-8 record in their last ten games. The game is scheduled for approximately 9 p.m. Eastern time on Peacock, with the winner facing off against Purdue in the next round. Both teams aim to turn their fortunes around in this crucial tournament setting.