So far, so good. The USC Trojans’ first season away from the Pac-12 conference and debuting in the Big Ten has gone successfully, with their conference scoreboard already reading 5-0. Their latest victory against No. 8 Maryland had to be especially satisfying as the Trojans won against an undefeated Terrapins team. But despite this being their 5th straight win, the team has also won this consecutive game on the road. And it might spell trouble.

LA is going through horrendous wildfires right now but while the USC squad has been away from home not to witness it up close, they still worry. And while they’re winning all their games on the East Coast so far, freezing in comparison to the sunny California, the toll has to get to them sooner or later.

Coach Lindsay Gottlieb said after defeating Maryland yesterday, “I mean we’re still learning it. I’m learning the rhythm of a new conference in terms of, you know, the Pac 12 was two games in a weekend. Friday, Sunday, everyone’s doing the same thing. And now we’re like, who’s playing who when.”

The move from Pac 12 to Big Ten was advertised as being pushed by NIL, ‘like-minded academic institutions,’ and more opportunities to recruit. At the same time, Pac 12’s unhelpful TV deals and other failures could not be ignored, which is one of the main reasons not just USC but UCLA also moved to the Big East.

In a college sports culture that is turning more into pro sports, the Big Ten gave these schools the best opportunity for finance. When the conference’s new deal that began in 2024, worth a massive $1 billion a year, is divided among 16 Big Ten schools yields an average of $62.5 million per school. This means USC can spend that money on facility upgrades and improved travel.

But like Gottlieb said, “It’s just really different for us and so as coaches, we’re trying to process all that and keep things as normalized for the team as possible.” When the move was announced, the coach knew this winter would not be easy with new teams and more travel. Nevertheless, she had the best of the Trojans in mind, especially their star guard.

Lindsay Gottlieb wants to balance work and play for JuJu Watkins and Co.

When JuJu Watkins suffered an injury last month, it was a dark moment for USC basketball. Fortunately, it was nothing serious and Watkins was able to recover properly. The holidays also gave a break before the grueling schedule of January, and this is exactly what coach Lindsay Gottlieb wanted.

“We are just trying to do the things that are best for our student-athletes in terms of, everyone says sleep, hydration, and nutrition are the best indicators of success on the road and acclimating to time changes, so we’ll focus on that,” she told The Next.

“Where it’s possible, we’ll try to do something or see something. If there’s an extra day and we’re in D.C., and it makes sense to go see a museum or a monument, we will, as long as it fits in.”

New teams in new arenas, playing a conference schedule against someone you’ve never played against can be tough. But so far, USC is handling it well. That said, it’s only January, so until March comes, the Trojans will have to keep their laces tied tight and keep getting those baskets!