In its introductory season in the Big Ten, USC men’s basketball has kept up so far despite struggling to find a rhythm on its home court during conference play.

The Trojans (12-7, 4-4) have only won one Big Ten matchup on their home court, beating Iowa (13-7, 4-5) on Jan. 14. Every one of USC’s other conference bouts at Galen Center, except for its tilt with Oregon (16-4, 5-4), have been double-digit losses, telling of the team’s early-season struggles.

But now, the Trojans invite UCLA (14-6, 5-4) to Figueroa Street, a squad they haven’t defeated at home since 2023. And lingering on the calendar is a date with No. 8 Michigan State (17-2, 8-0) next weekend, capping off a tough two-game slate. For Head Coach Eric Musselman and co., there is no better time to start winning at home than right now.

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“We have not been very good at home,” Musselman said in a post-game press conference after his team’s win over Nebraska (12-8, 2-7). “Otherwise, we’d be in an unbelievable position for March if we had done what we’re supposed to do at home. But we haven’t done that.”

The Bruins have had an interesting inaugural Big Ten campaign so far. On the one hand, they recently underwent a four-game losing streak at the hands of key conference opponents, but on the other, they appear to be back in full force after winning three straight games heading into the rivalry battle.

But even with spirits high, UCLA lost its leading scorer, junior forward Tyler Bilodeau, to an ankle injury Friday against Washington (10-10, 1-8). The first-year Bruin has averaged 13.9 points per game on 50.5% field-goal percentage in 20 games this season, and his potential absence could be critical when his team takes on the Trojans on Monday.

If Bilodeau doesn’t play, Head Coach Mick Cronin will depend much more on sophomore guard Eric Dailey Jr., a 6-foot-8 workhorse who will aim to punish USC inside the paint. Dailey Jr. has averaged 11.7 points in his first year as a full-time starter after transferring to the Bruins from Oklahoma State.

USC has been able to squeak out gritty wins despite not owning a flashy offense, a blue-chip center or a consistent 3-point shooter. Junior guard Desmond Claude has struggled at times but bounced back in USC’s win over Nebraska, dropping 21 points with six assists after tallying just 9 points in a loss against No. 18 Wisconsin (16-4, 6-3).

Claude’s leadership and strong finishing ability has allowed the Trojans to make legitimate noise in the Big Ten. Paired with breakout redshirt freshman guard Wesley Yates III, Musselman’s backcourt has created an identity for the team’s new-look offense.

Graduate forward Rashaun Agee has been an underrated catalyst for the Trojans. Agee has yet to start in a game but has displayed his ability to do it all, making 3-point shots, exerting his physical strength down the lane and playing sound defense. He has averaged 14.5 points during his last two games and is emerging as a threat off of USC’s thin bench.

“When you look at the stats, you don’t think [Agee] is a 3-point shooter,” Musselman said. “But we see it every day in practice.”

One weak spot for USC recently has been graduate guard Chibuzo Agbo’s 3-point shot. Agbo is the leading three-point shooter on an offense that is lacking in long-range threats, but the Boise State transfer has shot 1-for-9 from beyond the arc in his last two games and went 0-for-6 from the floor against the Cornhuskers.

Senior forward Saint Thomas has only continued to show his versatility this season; a much-appreciated asset for a team still figuring out how to work as a unit.

“[Thomas] is the ultimate glue guy,” Musselman said of the Northern Colorado transfer. “He’s a great passer — not a good passer. He’s super, super unselfish. I can have him guard 1 through 5, so that allows us to switch. He’s got a high basketball IQ, and he really understands spacing.

The rebounding battle will be something to look out for in the matchup. USC has struggled to nab boards but out-rebounded Nebraska, a key to victory.

The historic rivals will convene at Galen Center on Monday at 7 p.m. for a chance at critical ground in the Big Ten.