LOS ANGELES – After a week-long break from games, the USC Men’s Basketball team (6-4, 1-1 Big Ten) is set to return to action at the Galen Center for a four-game homestand. The Trojans resume non-conference play this Sunday, Dec. 15, against the Montana State Bobcats. The game tips off at 5 p.m. and will be broadcast on the Big Ten Network.
RECENT PERFORMANCE
In their last outing, USC played their first Big Ten Conference road game of the season against Washington, a familiar opponent. The Trojans started strong, scoring a season-high 51 points in the first half. They maintained their momentum in the second half, securing an 85-61 victory over their former Pac-12 rival.
Desmond Claude led the offense for the second consecutive game with 20 points, while Wesley Yates III and Saint Thomas each added 19 points. Rashaun Agee also had a standout performance, contributing 15 points to round out USC’s double-digit scorers.
USC VS. MONTANA STATE HISTORY
This matchup marks just the second time these teams have faced each other. Their last meeting was in the 1968-69 season, when USC edged out Montana State in an overtime victory.
SCOUTING MONTANA STATE
The Bobcats enter the game with a 5-5 overall record. Last season, they finished 14-17 but went on to win the Big Sky Conference Championship, earning a spot in the NCAA Tournament’s First Four, where they were eliminated by Grambling.
Montana State excels from beyond the arc, ranking 31st nationally with an average of 10.2 three-pointers per game. Defensively, they are also formidable on the perimeter, holding opponents to just 26.9% shooting from three.
The Bobcats return several key players from their championship-winning squad. Junior forward Brandon Walker leads the team in scoring, averaging 14.3 points per game, and was named to the Big Sky All-Preseason team.
Former Trojan Max Agbonkpolo, now with Montana State, will make his first appearance at the Galen Center since 2022. Agbonkpolo has started all 10 games this season, averaging 12.2 points and 5.9 rebounds per game. Additionally, Jade Mullins, a transfer from Washington State, has been a key playmaker, leading the Bobcats in assists with an average of 3.7 per game.
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