After a sluggish 6-7 start to the season, the Trojans have turned it around with two straight conference wins against UC Berkeley and Stanford. USC will now look toward Washington State to round up its three-game homestand Wednesday night.

Star freshman guard Isaiah Collier was influential in both games, posting 13 points and seven assists against Cal (5-10, 1-3 Pac-12) and 26 points in the victory over Stanford (7-7, 2-2 Pac-12). For his efforts, Collier was named Pac-12 Men’s Basketball Freshman of the Week for the third time this season. Not only has he been a prolific scorer this season, but he leads the team with 4.3 apg, proving why he is a dynamic playmaker and a projected Top 10 pick in the upcoming 2024 NBA Draft.

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“I try to do my best [at] decision making, even when I mess up at times,” said Collier in an interview with the Daily Trojan. “I just keep trusting my teammates and everything will evolve.”

The Trojans (8-7, 2-2 Pac-12) will also continue to lean on fifth-year guard Boogie Ellis, who leads the team in scoring with 18.8 ppg. He has also become a clear leader for Collier and a bunch of the other freshmen on the court.

“Just leading by example. I’ve played a lot of games and have experience,” said Ellis when asked about his leadership role. “Telling them what to look for and what to see on the floor.”

Another key player and big name to look out for in this game is freshman guard Bronny James. After missing the first half of the season due to a cardiac arrest back in July, James is starting to find his footing as a contributor off the bench for the Trojans. He is totaling 6.7 ppg and has made an impact on the defensive side of the ball with 1.3 spg.

“Well he’s only played seven games and he’s improved every game,” Head Coach Andy Enfield said. “He knows our system, he’s in a very good rhythm now and is playing outstanding basketball.”

Washington State (10-5, 1-3 Pac-12) is led by freshman guard Myles Rice and senior forward Isaac Jones. Rice leads the team in both points and assists, averaging 14.6 ppg and 3.1 apg. Jones is the main contributor on the glass for the Cougars with 7.1 rpg, while also putting up 14.1 ppg. Additionally, in his four career games against the Trojans, Jones is averaging a solid 13.5 ppg and 8.3 rbg. If USC wants to extend their win streak, it is imperative they shut down Washington State’s two main offensive threats. 

The turnover battle will likely be a factor in this upcoming matchup as the Trojans look to continue their recent clean play after sloppiness for most of the season. This year, USC ranks 279th in the country with 13.5 topg compared to the Cougars’ 10.9 topg, which ranks 65th.

“We only had six [turnovers] against Stanford,” Enfield said. “Our players know the formula to success and offense. We have good ball movement, good player movement [and] we have to be very decisive in our decision making.”

Last season, the two teams split the season series with the Trojans winning at home and losing in Pullman. USC has won its previous seven meetings with the Cougars at Galen Center.

“It’s important for us to win games at home [and] we’ve got great crowds here the past couple games,” Enfield said. “We’re playing better defensively and much better offensively.”

USC has a 75.4% chance of winning the matchup, according to ESPN Analytics. However, if they don’t play up to their potential, they’ll fall behind in the Pac-12 standings, with a difficult road trip approaching.

The Trojans will take on Washington State at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday at Galen Center.