The USC men’s basketball team will play its second, ranked opponent in three games Saturday at Galen Center: the No. 24 Wisconsin Badgers.

Despite a solid showing through nonconference play, USC (11-6, 3-3 Big Ten) was undeniably still a question mark in the Big Ten at the outset of their conference schedule.

However, through six conference games, the Trojans have shown that they can ride with some of the Big Ten’s proven teams. They recently tilted closely with Michigan (13-3, 5-0) and Indiana (13-5, 4-3) before it went south in the second half in both matchups for Head Coach Eric Musselman and crew.

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The two losses — while frustrating — showed progress. And once USC met then-No. 13 Illinois (13-4, 5-2) on the road, the Trojans appeared more thoroughly adjusted to the new landscape, winning their first  ranked road matchup in 15 years as a heavy underdog.

Tuesday wasn’t much different. While not ranked like the Fighting Illini, Iowa (12-5, 3-3) entered Galen Center after two notable conference victories and looking for more. However, the Trojans, appearing significantly more cohesive than earlier in the season, gave the home fans a show.

“You have a decision when you play at Illinois, you have a decision when you play Iowa, are you going to run with them, or are you going to slow the game down,” Musselman said in a postgame press conference Tuesday. “Our personality, by nature as a group and a team, is to attack.”

Three USC players scored at least 20 points: junior guard Desmond Claude, senior forward Saint Thomas and redshirt freshman Wesley Yates III. The Trojans improved to 11-0 in games in which they score 75 or more points and dodged the Hawkeyes’ nerve-wracking comeback attempt.

With the season in full swing, USC has had to make adjustments. Graduate forward Terrance Williams II has been sidelined since Dec. 4 with an injury, which removed a key piece — especially from beyond the arc — from Musselman’s depth chart. But in light of Williams II’s absence, Yates III has emerged as a young and reliable option in the starting five.

“[Yates III’s] minutes and evolution have changed our season,” Musselman said. “We don’t know where it goes from here, but right now, he’s changed things.”

Following his Big Ten Freshman of the Week honor, the Washington transfer played all 40 minutes for the first time in his career and recorded a career-high 21 points.

Meanwhile, Thomas was treading near triple-double waters with 24 points, nine rebounds and seven assists on a 90% shooting clip. Claude reached the 25-point mark for the second straight game, solidifying his role as the first option.

With Williams II and graduate forward Matt Knowling sidelined with injury, Musselman is operating with a shorter bench with limited depth. But the adversity hasn’t stopped the Trojans from putting up a fight most every night and going toe-to-toe with teams of more highly touted casts.

“We’re tough, we’re a good team, we have a lot of pieces,” Claude said. “One of the biggest things is just staying disciplined on what we do, our core principles … Once we continue to get more comfortable with each other, you’ll see what happens.”

The Trojans’ next opponent, Wisconsin (14-3, 4-2), has also defeated Iowa and lost to Michigan, but contrastingly fell to Illinois.

The Badgers’ main key to success has been two Johns. Graduate guard John Tonje and sophomore guard John Blackwell have each averaged over 15 points and have been vital to the team’s early success. USC is the most out-rebounded team in the Big Ten and will have to deal with the Badgers’ height, consisting of two 7-footers and plenty of force inside the paint.

The bout with the Badgers will conclude USC’s short homestand. It will take place Saturday at noon at Galen Center.