Even as the Trojans have tailed off in recent weeks, the silver lining has been that at least USC would have the Big Ten Tournament as an opportunity to make one final desperation push at March Madness. After Sunday's loss at Rutgers, however—the Trojans' fifth defeat in their past six games—even that appears to potentially be in jeopardy.

Dylan Harper's 25 points led five Rutgers scorers in double figures, and Harper dished nine assists to lead the Scarlet Knights to a 95-85 defeat of Southern California on Sunday in Piscataway, N.J.

Dylan Harper, Ace Bailey and the Scarlet Knights host USC in men's basketball, Sunday, Feb. 23, 2025, in Piscataway, N.J.