It’s nine minutes into the second half with 13 unanswered points, Galen Center is lit with noise and the Trojans have clawed their way back within one possession. But, just as soon as an upset win seemed within reach, the Badgers storm back, putting point after point on the scoreboard. 

The rest of the game, however, was more lopsided, with No. 18 Wisconsin (15-3, 5-2 Big Ten) holding steady with a double-digit lead.  But as that electric moment in the second half proved, USC (11-7, 3-4) showed fight and toughness in another grueling matchup against a classic Big Ten opponent. 

However, once again, the Trojans were defeated at home, their third Big Ten loss at Galen Center so far this season. The game followed two convincing conference wins over No. 19 Illinois (13-5, 5-3) and Iowa (12-6, 3-4), but USC could not capitalize on the momentum. 

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“Right now, we’re holding serve on the road up to this short sample size, but we’re really not doing that at home. You need to have a home-court advantage,” said Head Coach Eric Musselman in a postgame press conference. “You have to win eight out of 10 games at home. That’s how you play in March.” 

The game started immediately with a turnover forced by Wisconsin sophomore forward Nolan Winter, leading to quick points for the Badgers. The sequence was telling of the game to come for USC, with the Trojans’ 16 total turnovers leading to 22 points for the Badgers in transition. 

The Trojans were out-played in many aspects of the game: They were out-scored from the paint, beyond the arc and from the free throw line. Musselman’s squad was also out-rebounded and forced fewer turnovers. But, as proven by standout Badgers graduate guard John Tonje’s completely scoreless game, USC’s defense deserves its flowers. 

Tonje, who is Wisconsin’s leading scorer this year, was guarded by senior forward Saint Thomas. The Thomas-Tonje matchup was significant for more reasons than one: The two both grew up in Omaha, Nebraska, and matched up against one another during their high school years. 

“[Tonje’s] from Omaha, where I’m also from, so I just was watching him as a high school kid. He’s two years older than me, so he’s kind of a big bro to me,” Thomas said. “I asked [Musselman] if I could have that matchup, he’s one of the best players in the Big Ten. I just wanted to guard him to show him that I’m not little bro.” 

Thomas also acted as the Trojans’ main outlet offensively, putting up 19 points with three assists and four rebounds. Graduate forward Rashaun Agee added 15 points off the bench. Thomas and Agee were instrumental during that potentially game changing 13-point run in the second half. 

“I feel like [I am] practicing harder, and have more urgency and more understanding of what the team needs and understanding what [Musselman] wants me to be,” Agee said. “In the beginning, I struggled with understanding how to help the team and how to provide for the team, and now I have a better understanding of what’s going on.” 

Junior guard Desmond Claude was noticeably absent from his usual high-scoring position, having just 9 points in more than 30 minutes of action. 

“[Claude’s] a handful … I think we kept pressure on him. We were able to rotate two or three guys on him,” said Wisconsin Head Coach Greg Gard. “I thought our fives did a good job, for the most part, of keeping him and ball screens out of the paint, and we were able to plug gaps around him as much as possible.” 

On the Wisconsin side, sophomore guard John Blackwell led the Badgers with 28 points, going an impressive 10 for 16 from the field. Blackwell also clocked five defensive rebounds, one assist and drew five fouls. 

Also impressive offensively were senior guard Max Klesmit and Winter. Klesmit, averaging just 10.5 points for the season, notched 18 points for the Badgers. Additionally, Winter scored 13 points, also pulling down five of the team’s 27 rebounds. Winter added some characteristic flourishes with a few humble slam-down dunks before calmly running to get back on defense. 

Upcoming for the Trojans is another Big Ten matchup against the Nebraska Cornhuskers away on Wednesday. The Cornhuskers are coming off a four-game conference losing streak, including a 97-87 overtime loss to Iowa. Afterward, the Trojans return to Los Angeles to take on rivals UCLA at Galen Center on Jan. 27.