alijah arenas in doubt for Illinois showdown after surprise illness
USC’s breakout freshman guard Alijah Arenas is listed as a game-time decision for Wednesday night’s critical home matchup with No. 10 Illinois (tipoff ET) after falling ill, creating uncertainty for a Trojans squad that has leaned on him during a late-season surge.
Immediate impact on USC’s game plan
With the Trojans already thin in the rotation, Arenas’ status complicates preparations for a high-stakes Big Ten test. Team staff and beat writers have indicated Arenas is battling an illness and that even if he is cleared to play at tipoff, there is no guarantee he will see normal minutes. That uncertainty forces a readjustment of roles for the backcourt and perimeter scoring responsibilities.
When available, Arenas has been USC’s most electric offensive weapon. In seven appearances this season he has averaged 15. 4 points, 3. 0 rebounds, 1. 4 assists and 1. 0 steals per game while shooting 34. 7% from the field and 25. 0% from three. More importantly for USC, he has been streaky in the right way lately — producing three straight high-scoring outings that allowed the program to remain competitive amid injuries elsewhere on the roster.
If Arenas is limited or sidelined, the Trojans will need other perimeter scorers to step up immediately and the bench will be asked to provide energy minutes on both ends. The coaching staff has emphasized adaptability all season; Wednesday’s game will be a test of that philosophy against one of the conference’s top teams.
Context: resilience after major setbacks
Arenas’ journey back to the floor has been marked by adversity. In April 2025 he suffered a severe car crash that left him in a coma; he fought through recovery to return to basketball only to endure a torn meniscus in his right knee shortly after being medically cleared. Those setbacks underscore how sudden this current illness feels to the program and its supporters.
Despite the interruptions, Arenas has shown star potential. He is the son of a former NBA point guard and arrives on campus with high expectations; the freshman designation belies how central he’s become to USC’s late push. His recent scoring bursts — including multiple 20-plus point games and a stretch that earned conference freshman recognition — have made him the Trojan offense’s primary spark.
What to watch Wednesday (tipoff ET)
Expect the team to announce a final update closer to tipoff. If Arenas is unavailable or limited, watch these areas closely: who assumes primary perimeter creation, how the bench rotation expands to cover minutes, and whether the Trojans alter defensive assignments to counter Illinois’ balanced attack. Illinois arrives with one of the Big Ten’s best records and a prolific offense, so USC will need more than one scorer to offset that pressure.
For now, the key storyline is clarity on Arenas’ condition. If the illness is short-lived, the team gets back a proven scorer who can change a game’s complexion. If it lingers, the Trojans must adapt quickly to maintain their postseason positioning. Either way, Wednesday night (tipoff ET) will answer how much of an immediate role the freshman will play as USC faces a program that ranks among the conference leaders in offensive production and point differential.
Coaches and staff are monitoring his status closely and will determine his availability as game time approaches. The health of Arenas will be a primary factor in how the Trojans execute their game plan against a top-10 opponent in a pivotal late-season matchup.
