The USC Trojans (4-2) are facing the Wisconsin Badgers (4-1) in the third-place game of the Battle 4 Atlantis held in the Imperial Arena at the Atlantis Paradise Island Resort in The Bahamas on Nov. 25 at 10:00 a.m. PT. The game will air on the ESPN2 with Jon “Boog” Sciambi and Jimmy Dykes calling the action.
USC’S STELLAR STRETCH — USC won a school-record 73 games over the last three seasons (22 in 2020, 25 in 2021 and 26 in 2022). The previous school record for wins in three consecutive seasons was 71 (2016-18). The three consecutive seasons of 20+ wins also equals the school record for most consecutive 20-win seasons set from 2016-18.
FACING WISCONSIN — Wisconsin (4-1) is coming off a 69-68 overtime loss to No. 3 Kansas in the other Battle 4 Atlantis semifinal on Nov. 24. Wisconsin opened up action here defeating Dayton 43-42 on Nov. 23. The Badgers also have wins over South Dakota (85-59), Stanford (60-50) and Green Bay (56-45). Senior forward Tyler Wahl leads Wisconsin with 14.0 points and 7.4 rebounds per game. USC is 2-1 all-time against Wisconsin, winning the last meeting 86-76 on Dec. 29, 1982.
USC TO OPEN PAC-12 PLAY AT CAL — USC’s next game will be at California on Nov. 30 at 7:00 p.m., which is its Pac-12 opener. California (0-5) is playing at the Emerald Coast Classic in Niceville, Fla. before facing USC, playing TCU on Nov. 25 and either Clemson or Iowa on Nov. 26. Junior guard Devin Askew leads the Bears with a 17.4 scoring average. USC won both games against Cal last season, winning 77-63 in Berkeley, Calif. and winning 79-72 in Los Angeles. USC has won the last eight meetings with California, but trails in the all-time series , 130-136 (1 USC win vacated due to NCAA penalty, original record 131-136)
IT STARTS WITH DEFENSE — USC has held 5 of its 6 opponents this season to 37.5 percent shooting or less. USC held 22 of its 34 opponents during the 2021-22 season to under 40 percent shooting. USC held the opposition to a 39.0 shooting percentage during the season, 14th in the country. USC held its first 12 opponents during the 2021-22 season under 40 percent shooting in each game and to a combined 35.2 shooting percentage, which was second in the country. The Trojans were the first team in the last 15 seasons to hold its first 12 opponents to under 40 percent shooting in each game.
PETERSON & ELLIS RECEIVE PRESEASON RECOGNITION — USC fifth-year guard Drew Peterson was named to The Sporting News 2022-23 Preseason All-America third team. He was also named to the Naismith Trophy Player of the Year Watch List. Both Peterson and senior guard Boogie Ellis were named to the 2022-23 Pac-12 Preseason All-Conference first team.
ELLIS BUILDING OFF LAST SEASON – Guard Boogie Ellis averaged 12.5 points last season, second among the Trojans and most among the returning players. Ellis also led USC with 56 three-point baskets made and with 27 steals. Ellis had a .789 free throw percentage (71-for-89) which ranked 10th in the Pac-12. Ellis is averaging 18.5 points through the first six games this season and leads the Trojans with 14 three-pointers made. He is the only Trojan to score in double figures in all six games this season. He also has a team-leading 29 free throws made and is second on the team with 10 steals. Ellis has made 48.3 percent of his three-point attempts this season (14-for-29).
PETERSON FILLS UP THE STAT SHEET — USC 2022 All-Pac-12 guard Drew Peterson averaged 12.4 points and 6.2 rebounds last season, both ranking third among the Trojans. He also led the team with 113 assists and was second in free throws made (76) and three-pointers made (49), while finishing third in blocks (27) and steals (23). He has totaled 88 points, 47 rebounds and 43 assists in USC’s six games this season. He leads USC in both rebounds and assists and is second with a 14.7 scoring average.
BLOCK PARTY 2023 — USC has 39 blocks in the first six games of the 2022-23 season, led by Joshua Morgan’s 21 blocks. USC is averaging 6.5 blocks per game. Morgan’s 17 blocks this season ranks among the NCAA’s top 10. Morgan had 7 blocks vs. FGCU on Nov. 7 which tied him for fifth on USC’s all-time single game blocks list.
