You know the thrill of watching college hoops, especially when your team is in a tight matchup against a conference rival. The energy in the arena is electric as both squads battle it out on the hardwood. Well, that excitement was on full display when the USC Trojans took on the Arizona State Sun Devils. In this back and forth contest, the stars for both teams put on a show. The stat sheet was filled with eye-popping numbers from start to finish. From dramatic dunks to clutch three-pointers, this game had it all. Stick around as we dive into the key stats and top performers that defined this thrilling Pac-12 showdown between the Trojans and Sun Devils. You won’t want to miss this breakdown of all the action on the court.
Recap of the Exciting USC Trojans vs ASU Basketball Match
The USC Trojans took on the Arizona State Sun Devils in a thrilling Pac-12 conference match. The Trojans came into the game with a 10-2 record, hoping to continue their winning ways. The Sun Devils were also having a good season at 9-3, so you knew it would be a competitive game.
First Half Action
The first half was tight, with several lead changes. USC’s star player, Evan Mobley, came to play. The 7-foot center had 15 points and 9 rebounds in the first half alone. However, ASU’s guard Remy Martin matched him, scoring 17 points to keep the Sun Devils close. At halftime, USC held a slim 38-36 lead.
Second Half Drama
In the second half, the action intensified. There were a few minor scuffles that led to technical fouls on both sides. The officials had trouble controlling the physicality at times. On the court, Mobley and Martin continued their scoring duel, but USC started pulling away. With 5 minutes left, they led by 10 points, 65-55.
ASU Makes a Comeback
But ASU wasn’t done. Martin hit a couple of clutch 3-pointers to cut the lead to 5. The Sun Devils turned up the defensive pressure using a full-court press. It worked, as USC turned the ball over on 3 straight possessions. Suddenly, it was a one possession game with a minute left.
Mobley Comes Up Big
The Trojans needed someone to step up. Enter Evan Mobley. He got the ball in the post, made a power move to the basket and threw down a massive dunk while getting fouled. He sunk the free throw to complete the 3-point play. A few possessions later, Mobley blocked a shot that led to a runout layup for USC. With a 72-66 victory, the Trojans held on for an exciting win over their rivals. Mobley finished with a game-high 30 points and 15 rebounds. What a thriller!
Top Scorers and Rebounders in the Game
Isaiah Mobley with 20 points and 9 rebounds
Leading the scoring for the USC Trojans was Isaiah Mobley, who put up an impressive 20 points and also grabbed 9 rebounds. Mobley was efficient from the field, going 8-12 and scoring from both inside and outside. His versatility and size at 6-10 caused problems for the Sun Devils all night. Whenever the Trojans needed a bucket, they looked to feed Mobley in the post or have him spot up from mid-range.
Marcus Bagley with 22 points and 8 rebounds
For ASU, Marcus Bagley led all scorers with 22 points on an efficient 9-15 from the field, including 3-6 from three-point range. The athletic wing showcased his scoring arsenal, knocking down jumpers off the dribble and catch and finishing strong at the rim. Bagley was also active on the glass, pulling down 8 rebounds to pace the Sun Devils. Whenever ASU made a run, Bagley seemed to come up with a big play to swing momentum back in their favor.
Ethan Anderson dishes out 7 assists
While not the top scorer, Ethan Anderson made his presence felt with his playmaking and distribution. The USC point guard dished out a game-high 7 assists and did a good job getting his teammates involved. Anderson found Mobley and Goodwin for easy baskets and also located open shooters spotting up around the perimeter. His ability to break down the defense with his quickness and passing were instrumental in the Trojans offensive success.
The key players in this matchup showcased a variety of skills on both ends of the court. For USC, Mobley and Anderson led the way with their scoring and playmaking. Bagley carried the load for ASU offensively with his versatile scoring attack. On a night where both teams struggled at times, the top performers stepped up when their teams needed them most.
Key Takeaways From the Player Stats
Trojans’ Offense Was Firing On All Cylinders
The Trojans came out swinging in this match, putting up over 80 points against a tough ASU defense. Four of USC’s starters scored in double digits, led by Tahj Eaddy with 20 points and 4 assists. Evan Mobley and Isaiah White each added 16 points, with Mobley pulling down 9 rebounds as well. When USC’s offense is clicking like this, they’re hard to beat.
ASU Struggled From Behind the Arc
The Sun Devils rely heavily on the 3-point shot, but they just couldn’t get it going in this game. As a team, they shot under 30% from 3-point range, including 2 of 11 from star Remy Martin. When ASU can’t hit their outside shots, their offense sputters. They didn’t have a single player score over 14 points.
The Match Came Down to Rebounding
Though USC shot slightly worse from the field overall, they dominated the rebounding battle. The Trojans grabbed 15 offensive rebounds and 42 rebounds total, compared to just 26 for the Sun Devils. Those extra scoring chances made the difference in the game. USC’s size and strength inside with Mobley and White gave them the edge.
This Win Boosts USC’s NCAA Tournament Chances
Coming into this match, usc trojans men’s basketball vs asu basketball match player stats. If the Trojans can finish strong down the stretch, they seem poised to earn an at-large bid to the Big Dance. The offensive and rebounding performance in this game shows they have the talent to make a run.
Overall, USC’s red-hot offense, ASU’s cold shooting, and the rebounding margin told the story of this match. The Trojans came to play and now have momentum heading into the final weeks of the season. This was a statement win that should give USC confidence against any opponent.
Standout Performances on Both Sides
The Trojans and Sun Devils were led by dominant showings from key players on both sides of the ball. For USC, forward Evan Mobley put on a show. The 7-foot freshman phenom scored a career-high 33 points and grabbed 14 rebounds for his seventh double-double this season. Mobley showed off his full arsenal, knocking down midrange jumpers and 3-pointers while also attacking the rim. He’s living up to the hype as one of the top prospects in next year’s NBA draft.
Point Guard Playmaking
On the perimeter, point guards Ethan Anderson and Tahj Eaddy combined for 18 points and 12 assists while taking care of the ball. Anderson did a little bit of everything, adding six rebounds and three steals to his nine points and seven dimes. When USC’s lead guards are creating easy shots for their teammates, this offense can be tough to stop.
For ASU, guard Remy Martin led the way with 24 points, five assists and four rebounds. Martin took over at times, knocking down tough shots to keep the Sun Devils close. Big man Jalen Graham added 12 points, eight boards and two blocks in just 18 minutes of action. When Graham can stay out of foul trouble, he gives ASU a much-needed post presence to balance their guard-heavy attack.
Bench Contributions
USC’s second unit outscored ASU’s bench 32-12, providing a big spark. Guard Ethan Anderson and forwards Max Agbonkpolo and Chevez Goodwin combined for 25 points off the bench. Goodwin in particular was a problem, scoring 11 points in just nine minutes against ASU’s overmatched big men. For ASU, only guard Alonzo Verge Jr. scored off the bench. The Sun Devils will need more from their reserves to take the next step.
Overall, it was a game filled with memorable performances on both sides. But on this night, USC’s stars shined a bit brighter to lead the Trojans to a hard-fought victory over their Pac-12 rivals.
What the Stats Say About These Pac-12 Rivals Moving Forward
The Trojans came into this matchup the heavy favorites, ranked #5 in the nation and undefeated in conference play. The Sun Devils were unranked but hoping an upset could put them on the map. The stats from this game suggest USC has some weaknesses that could be exposed down the stretch, while ASU proved they deserve more respect.
Trojans’ 3-point defense a concern
USC’s defense ranks in the top 25 nationally in most categories, but their 3-point defense is suspect. They allow opponents to shoot nearly 36% from deep, ranking 200th. The Sun Devils torched the Trojans from outside, shooting 42% on 24 attempts. USC will need to tighten up their perimeter defense to make a deep run in March.
ASU’s balanced attack a threat
ASU doesn’t have any superstars, but they have 7 players averaging at least 7 points per game. In this game, 5 Sun Devils scored in double figures, led by Remy Martin’s 22 points. Teams with a balanced attack and multiple scoring options can be hard to defend in the tournament. If ASU can get hot from three like they did in this game, they have the depth and balance to surprise teams down the stretch.
Evan Mobley’s dominance on display
There’s a reason USC’s freshman center Evan Mobley is projected as a top 5 NBA draft pick. He scored 23 points on 11-15 shooting, adding 7 rebounds and 5 blocks. At 7 feet tall with guard-like skills, Mobley is a matchup nightmare and almost impossible to guard one-on-one. As long as USC continues to feed him the ball, they’ll be tough to beat.
The stats prove USC has vulnerabilities, but also a superstar in Evan Mobley and stifling defense. For ASU, their balanced attack and outside shooting make them dangerous. This was a statement win for the Sun Devils, while USC hopes to tighten up its weak points to ensure more marquee wins as the season continues. The rematch in Tempe should be a thriller!
Conclusion
The Trojans fell just short against ASU, but there were some great individual efforts. You saw Boogie Ellis put up 24 points to lead all scorers. Reese Dixon-Waters also had a strong game with 16 points. And while Drew Peterson struggled from the field, he still made his presence felt on the glass with 9 rebounds. The Trojans will need to regroup quickly with another tough road test coming up against Arizona. But the talent is there to compete with any team. If the Trojans can clean things up on the defensive end and get a full team effort on offense, they have the pieces to go on a run in Pac-12 play. As a fan, you have to be excited about the potential this team has shown. They just need to put it all together for a full 40 minutes.
