If you were watching the USC vs Michigan basketball matchup on January 2nd, you probably felt that collective wince from the Trojan faithful just a few minutes in. It wasn't just a loss. It was a 96-66 dismantling that felt like a statement of intent from Dusty May and his high-flying Wolverines. People expected a fight between Eric Musselman’s gritty rebuild and the No. 2 team in the country. Instead, they got a masterclass in modern Big Ten dominance.
Honestly, the score doesn't even tell the full story of how chaotic those first six minutes were.
The Trojans went nearly seven minutes without scoring. Seven. In a game of this magnitude, that's basically a death sentence. By the time Ezra Ausar finally drew a foul and sank a free throw, Michigan was already up double digits. It’s the kind of start that makes you want to turn the TV off, yet for basketball junkies, it was a fascinating look at how two different coaching philosophies are clashing in the "new" Big Ten.
The Morez Johnson Jr. Problem
Everyone knew Morez Johnson Jr. was good, but nobody expected him to look like a man among boys against a Power 5 frontcourt. He dropped a career-high 29 points. He didn't just score; he lived in the paint, going 10-of-12 from the field.
USC had no answer.
They tried different looks, but when you have a 7-foot-3 Aday Mara clogging the middle and Johnson slashing through the lanes, the math just doesn't work for the defense. Michigan’s ability to score 28 points in the paint in the first half alone basically ended the game before the halftime snacks were even served.
USC vs Michigan Basketball: The Turnover Nightmare
You can't talk about USC vs Michigan basketball without mentioning the 21 turnovers the Trojans coughed up. Eric Musselman is known for disciplined, tough teams, but this group looked rattled.
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- 21 total turnovers for USC.
- 24 points off those turnovers for Michigan.
- 6 turnovers in the first four minutes.
It was a comedy of errors at times. Chad Baker-Mazara, who usually carries the scoring load for the Trojans, was hampered by an illness and quick fouls. He picked up his fourth foul with 8.8 seconds left in the first half. That’s just bad luck mixed with a bit of desperation. When your best player is glued to the bench and your point guards are throwing passes into the third row, you’re going to have a bad time in Ann Arbor.
The Terrance Williams II Return
There was a bit of a "revenge game" narrative heading in. Terrance Williams II, who spent years in the maize and blue, returned to the Crisler Center wearing a USC jersey. The crowd gave him a decent reception, but the game itself was a dud for him. He finished with just five points. It’s gotta be a weird feeling—playing in a gym you used to call home while your old team treats your new team like a JV squad.
Why Dusty May’s System is Different
Dusty May isn't running the old-school, grind-it-out Michigan offense of the past. This team is built on speed and "havoc." They came into this game averaging nearly 100 points in their previous three outings. While they "only" hit 96 against USC, the efficiency was terrifying.
They share the ball. They find the open man. They don't settle for bad shots unless the shot clock is screaming at them.
What's wild is that Michigan shot just 20% from the three-point line in this specific game. Usually, a stat like that means a close game or an upset. But because they were so dominant inside and on the glass (outrebounding USC 40-35), the perimeter struggles didn't matter. They simply bullied USC.
Key Individual Performances
- Jaden Brownell (USC): He was the lone bright spot for the Trojans, tying a season-high with 16 points. He showed some real heart when the game was already out of reach.
- Ezra Ausar (USC): Scored 15 and crossed the 1,300 career points milestone. He's a bucket, but he needs help.
- Elliot Cadeau (Michigan): The floor general ship is real. He controls the pace like he’s playing a video game on easy mode.
The Big Ten Landscape in 2026
We're in a weird era where "West Coast" teams like USC are flying to Michigan for "conference" games. The travel is a factor, sure, but the physicality is the bigger hurdle. USC looked like they were playing at a different speed—and not the fast kind.
Michigan is currently sitting near the top of the KenPom rankings, and for good reason. They are elite on both ends. USC, meanwhile, is in that "dangerous but inconsistent" tier. They followed up this blowout with a gritty overtime win against Minnesota, which shows they have some backbone. But to compete with the Michigans and Purdues of the world? They need more than just grit. They need a functional half-court offense.
What This Means for the Rematch
If these two meet again in the Big Ten Tournament, don't expect another 30-point blowout. Musselman is too good of a coach to let the same mistakes happen twice. He’ll likely pack the paint more and dare Michigan to shoot those threes that weren't falling in January.
But for now, the hierarchy is clear. Michigan is a Tier 1 title contender. USC is a "work in progress" that might cause some headaches in March if they can stop turning the ball over.
Practical Takeaways for Fans and Bettors:
- Watch the First Four Minutes: USC has a habit of starting slow in high-pressure road games. If they don't score by the 16-minute mark, it’s going to be a long night.
- The "Morez" Factor: Morez Johnson Jr. is a legitimate NBA prospect. If he’s getting single-coverage, he’s going for 20+.
- Free Throw Struggles: USC shot 63% from the line in this game. In close games, that will haunt them. They need to find some consistency at the stripe to survive the Big Ten gauntlet.
Keep an eye on the injury reports for the next meeting. Nimari Burnett took a nasty spill in this one, and his health is a huge part of Michigan’s perimeter defense. If he's out, the Trojans might actually find some room to breathe.