Indiana basketball is riding high after a strong start in Big Ten play. They recently took down Penn State 77-71, improving to 3-1 in the conference and 12-3 overall. Next up, the Hoosiers face USC on Wednesday at 7 p.m. ET at Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall, looking to keep their momentum going.

USC, under first-year coach Eric Musselman, is 9-5 overall and 1-2 in Big Ten games. Musselman, who previously led Arkansas to multiple deep NCAA tournament runs, brought in a brand-new roster this season with 11 transfers and two freshmen. The Trojans are coming off an 85-74 loss to Michigan and have been dealing with injuries to key players Terrance Williams (10.6 points per game) and Matt Knowling (3.8 points per game), with no clear timeline for their return.

While beating USC may not significantly boost Indiana’s NCAA tournament resume—the Trojans are ranked No. 94 in the NET rankings—it’s a game the Hoosiers can’t afford to lose as they head into a tougher stretch of games offering multiple Quad 1 opportunities.

Here are three key things to watch as Indiana takes on USC:

### Adjusting Without Malik Reneau
When Indiana’s leading scorer Malik Reneau went down with a knee injury early in last Thursday’s game against Rutgers, it could have spelled trouble. Reneau, averaging 14.1 points on 60.3% shooting, has been crucial for Indiana this season. However, the team stepped up, delivering two of their best performances yet—beating Rutgers by 10 points and securing a road win against Penn State.

Against Rutgers, despite freshman standout Ace Bailey scoring 39 points, Indiana locked down the rest of the team for the win. Coach Mike Woodson used a smaller lineup featuring Myles Rice, Trey Galloway, Luke Goode, Mackenzie Mgbako, and Oumar Ballo. This lineup paid off again at Penn State, where Ballo dominated with 25 points and 13 rebounds. The smaller setup also allowed for more ball movement and perimeter shooting, with Goode and Mgbako hitting a combined 7-of-12 from beyond the arc.

Coach Woodson has said there’s no clear timeline for Reneau’s return but confirmed it’s not a serious injury. For now, the team will need to rely heavily on Ballo, who is averaging 13.6 points, 8.6 rebounds, and shooting an impressive 66.7% from the field.

### Exploiting USC’s Size Disadvantage
Ballo will be a key player against USC’s smaller lineup. The Trojans’ starting center, Josh Cohen, stands at 6-foot-10 but averages only 16.7 minutes per game. Beyond Cohen, no USC player in the rotation is taller than 6-foot-8. In their loss to Michigan, Musselman leaned on a small-ball lineup with 6-foot-8 guard Kevin Patton Jr., who played 28 minutes off the bench.

Musselman acknowledged the challenges of playing with a traditional center against certain teams, saying the small-ball lineup performed better in that game. For Indiana, this presents an opportunity to dominate inside with Ballo while also staying flexible with their smaller lineup strategy.

### Foul Trouble and Free Throws
Indiana needs to stay disciplined on defense for two reasons: their limited depth and USC’s ability to get to the free throw line. With Reneau and other key players like Gabe Cupps and Jakai Newton sidelined, Indiana’s bench struggled against Penn State, scoring just three points in 46 minutes. The Hoosiers can’t afford to lose Ballo or other starters to foul trouble.

USC ranks among the top teams nationally in free throw attempts per game (22.6) and relies heavily on getting to the line for offense. Their leading scorer, Desmond Claude (15.3 points per game), excels at drawing fouls and averages 6.3 free throw attempts per game. Limiting USC’s chances at the charity stripe will be crucial for Indiana to control the game.

With all eyes on Wednesday night’s matchup, Indiana hopes to continue their winning streak while adapting to roster challenges and exploiting matchups against USC. A victory will set them up well as they prepare for tougher competition ahead.