The USC Trojans and Washington Huskies meet on Wednesday in a Big Ten Tournament battle that will end one team’s season and extend the other’s hopes of seeing March Madness for one more round. USC enters this game coming off a tough regular season that saw struggles down the stretch and a lopsided loss to Washington in their most recent contest. This USC vs Washington preview will break down the matchup, key contributors, and includes my prediction for the game.
Our USC vs Washington Pick
Pick:
Confidence: 4 out of 5
Game Snapshot
- Matchup: USC Trojans @ Washington Huskies
- Date & Time: Wednesday, March 11, 2026, 2:30 PM Eastern Time
- Venue: United Center, Chicago, Illinois
- Broadcast: Peacock
Key Storylines
- USC enters this game having lost six straight and 12 of its last 18 games overall, a trend that casts doubt on its ability to rebound in postseason play. They suffered a notable loss just before the postseason, as Chad Baker-Mazara has left the program in bizarre fashion, making things even tougher on the Trojans.
- The Huskies are playing with momentum and confidence compared to the Trojans, though that isn’t a particularly high bar to clear. Both of these teams are fortunate to be playing against another Western team instead of being at a crowd disadvantage in the Midwest, and it will be interesting to see who takes advantage of that.
Key Players
Washington Huskies
- Hannes Steinbach – The freshman star leads Washington with around 18 points and 11 rebounds per game and posted a historic 22-point, 24-rebound night against USC recently, showcasing dominance on the glass and efficient scoring.
- Zoom Diallo – Diallo is a crucial scorer and facilitator for the Huskies, averaging nearly 15 points and 4 assists per outing and providing steady production that complements Steinbach’s inside presence. His performance against USC was pivotal in their last meeting.
USC Trojans
- Alijah Arenas – USC’s leading scorer in recent games, putting up nearly 19 points and 7 rebounds, providing the bulk of USC’s scoring when others struggle.
- Ezra Ausar – Offers interior scoring and rebounding with double-digit points and 11 boards in recent outings, though foul trouble has limited his second-half impact at times.
- Jacob Cofie & Jordan Marsh – Secondary scoring threats who can provide bursts, but their consistency has been an issue amid USC’s slump.
Stat Comparison
| Statistic | USC | Washington |
|---|---|---|
| Points Per Game | 78.6 | 76.8 |
| Points Allowed Per Game | 77.8 | 73.1 |
| Team Field Goal % | 45% | 46% |
| Rebounds Per Game | 36.3 | 36.8 |
| Assists Per Game | 15.1 | 13.5 |
Head-to-Head & Betting Trends
- Washington went 2-0 against USC so far this season, including a win this past week.
- USC is 13-17 against the spread going into postseason play.
- Washington is 18-13 against the spread entering Wednesday’s action.
USC vs Washington Model Projection
Score Projection:
Win Probability:
Final Thoughts
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