USC’s NCAA tournament hopes took a hit with an 84-69 loss to Wisconsin. At 11-7, the Trojans need to finish strong in their final 13 games to boost their March Madness dreams in USC coach Eric Musselman’s first season.

Get real-time COLLEGEBASKETBALL basketball coverage and scores as Wisconsin Badgers takes on USC Trojans. We bring you the latest game previews, live stats, and recaps on CBSSports.com

A dominant defensive showing and a standout performance from one of their guards paved the way for the Badgers in the first game of their West Coast trip.

Luke Fickell and the University of Wisconsin football program will lean on returning players like Trech Kekahuna to help usher in its new offensive system under

USC head coach Eric Musselman was highly complimentary of Wisconsin, its caliber and depth, and guard John Blackwell (28 points) when meeting with the media postgame.

John Blackwell finished with 28 points and Max Klesmit added 18 for the Badgers, who defeated the Trojans, 86-69, Saturday at Galen Center.

MADISON, WISCONSIN – JANUARY 03: John Blackwell #25 of the Wisconsin Badgers reacts after making a three-point shot in the first half of the game against the Iowa Hawkeyes at Kohl Center on January 03, 2025 in Madison, Wisconsin. (Photo by John Fisher/Getty Images)

It will be the fifth meeting between these two programs, with the series tied 2-2, but the Trojans are 2-0 at home against the Badgers. Tip-off is set for 12:00 p.m. and will be broadcast on the Big Ten Network.

Wisconsin and USC are set to tip-off at 3 p.m. ET, 2 p.m. CT on the Big Ten Network. The Badgers are in search of their seventh consecutive victory and fifth-straight in conference play. They may need their top form in order to achieve that result.

Eight former Wisconsin Badgers will suit up in the NFL playoffs divisional round this weekend.

For as much that has gone wrong this season for the Nebraska women’s basketball team from season-ending injuries (Natalie Potts, Allison Weidner) to heart-break