Coming off a close loss to No. 4 Purdue and armed with anticipation for five-star freshman guard Alijah Arenas’ long-awaited debut, the script was almost perfectly written heading into Wednesday’s matchup with Northwestern, which had then been winless in Big Ten play.

It was looking like a new era for the once-ranked USC men’s basketball team (14-5, 3-5 Big Ten) that was hoping for a revival with its star now in the fold.

Though Arenas showed flashes of what makes him the highest-ranked recruit in Head Coach Eric Musselman’s tenure, Wednesday’s 74-68 defeat at Galen Center is one the Trojans and their top recruit are likely to want to forget.

Arenas made just 3-of-15 shots from the field for 8 points in his debut, while USC built on a tough 5-for-14 performance at the free-throw line Saturday by missing a season-high 17 free throws against the Wildcats (9-10, 1-7). The Trojans also struggled from deep, making just two 3-pointers for a total of five across the past two games.

“[The team] shot the ball horrific from three and shot the ball horrific from the foul line,” Musselman said in a postgame news conference Wednesday. “Critical loss tonight.”

The Trojans’ shooting struggles have been present since junior guard Rodney Rice suffered a season-ending injury in late November, but even more so in their current skid. Wednesday’s game was USC’s fourth loss in the past six games, but the first to an unranked team.

Shooting woes were extenuated Wednesday when USC’s leading scorer, graduate guard Chad Baker-Mazara, fouled out midway through the second half after playing just 13 minutes.

“[I] can’t remember one that’s quite like this,” Musselman said.

Arenas, Baker-Mazara struggle

When Arenas made his first shot of the game, a baseline jumper, he immediately drove down the court, scoring on a quick 360-layup. The son of three-time NBA All-Star Gilbert Arenas was off to a hot start in his first collegiate game.

However, he cooled off quickly, as he scored just 4 more points for the rest of the game, missing all six treys he attempted and going 2-for-6 at the free throw line.

Arenas played a total of 29 minutes and was forced to constantly shoot the rock after Baker-Mazara fouled out after barely playing in the first half.

“That’s on Chad. He’s a sixth-year player … It’s unheard of,” Musselman said of the foul out. “As a staff, you’ve got to do a way better job teaching guys to defend without fouling.”

Baker-Mazara displayed his dominance in the short time he was on the court, however. In his 13 minutes, he was perfect from the charity stripe, scored both of the team’s only 3-pointers, and was the third highest on the team in points scored with 14 when the game ended.

The game was shaping up to be one of Baker-Mazara’s most efficient performances, but it all came crashing down when he received his fifth and final foul, which forced Musselman to adapt his strategy.

“Should [Arenas] have played less minutes? Maybe,” Musselman said. “I didn’t walk in here tonight thinking Chad was going to play 13 minutes.”

Even with Arenas’ rough debut, he received high praise from Northwestern Head Coach Chris Collins.

“He is a big-time player,” Collins said in a postgame news conference. “I’ve seen him play in high school and have marveled at his talent, size, athleticism [and] shot-making ability. He’s going to be playing basketball for a long, long time.”

Marsh and Ausar provide a spark for weak offense

Junior guard Jordan Marsh had another strong game off the bench, going a perfect 9-for-9 on free throws, contributing to a team-high 19 points. Marsh has continued to shine on offense and defense during the team’s rough stretch.

“He did a great job getting into the teeth of the defense [tonight],” Musselman said. “Most importantly, I thought he did a good job defensively.”

One player who struggled on defense was senior forward Ezra Ausar. Although Ausar went 9-for-14 from the line and 4-for-7 from the field, posting 17 points, his defense was nowhere near as good. Musselman heavily criticized him for two of his defensive miscues.

“I cannot remember a player blowing two coverages like I saw tonight,” Musselman said, referring to a defensive miscue from Ausar that allowed Northwestern to score in the final seconds of the first half. “I’m in shock about that.”

Despite the tough loss, Ausar said he believed in the Trojans’ ability to turn it around.

“You make [practices] more intense, you practice better habits,” Ausar said in a postgame news conference. “That’s what we lack all around as a team — players and coaches.”

As the Trojans navigate through this rough stretch, they will be tested during a two-game road trip to the Midwest, facing Wisconsin (14-5, 6-2) at 1 p.m. on Sunday and Iowa (14-5, 4-4) at 4 p.m. on Wednesday.