USC's NCAA tournament hopes took a hit with a 101-65 blowout loss to Illinois, the team's worst defeat in two seasons under coach Eric Musselman. The Trojans gave up a season-high 101 points, their first time surrendering that many since 2019.
Star freshman Alijah Arenas, who played while battling illness, managed just eight points in 18 minutes. Jacob Cofie led USC with 14 points and Ezra Ausar added 11, but no other Trojan reached double digits. Illinois improved to 22-5, 13-3, while USC fell to 18-8, 7-8 in the Big Ten, leaving the Trojans on the bubble with five games remaining.