Akron @ Southern California preview

Last Meeting ( Nov 20, 2014 ) Southern California 46, Akron 66

Losers of four of its last six games, USC is hoping a trip to Honolulu helps get things back on track. The shorthanded Trojans conclude their non-conference schedule this weekend with three games at the Diamond Head Classic, starting with Friday’s contest against an Akron team that has won three straight.

The Trojans were without four rotation players in last Tuesday’s 103-93 overtime loss to Princeton, including dynamic guard De’Anthony Melton, who did not make the trip to Honolulu and has yet to play this season while the school investigates his eligibility. Forward Bennie Boatwright has missed the last two games due to a foot injury, while guards Jonah Mathews and Derryck Thornton are listed as day-to-day. Forward Chimezie Metu averages a team-high 18.5 points and 8.3 rebounds per game to lead the Trojans, who were picked to finish second in the Pac-12 preseason poll but have already lost to Texas A&M, SMU and Oklahoma by a combined 35 points. “Other guys just have to step up,” Metu told reporters. “Guys have to be ready when their number’s called. It’s a long season. Six-and-four is definitely not where we want to be.”

TV: 7:30 p.m. ET, ESPNU

ABOUT AKRON (6-2): Sophomore forward Daniel Utomi averages 20.3 points and 7.1 rebounds for the Zips, who cruised to an 81-63 victory over winless Mississippi Valley State last Saturday. Coach John Groce’s squad boasts an impressive backcourt led by Jimond Ivey, Eric Parrish, Virshon Cotton and Malcolm Duvivier, an Oregon State transfer who ranks second on the team in scoring at 12.6 points per game and had 14 points, seven assists and three steals Saturday. Sophomore forward Emmanuel Olojakpoke averages 9.1 points and 5.0 boards for the Zips, who are committing 15.5 turnovers per game.

ABOUT USC (6-4): Senior point guard Jordan McLaughlin has a total of 67 assists in the last seven contests and contributed 24 points and eight assists in the loss to Princeton. With just nine available scholarship players, guard Shaqquan Aaron made his first start of the season on Tuesday and finished with five points and two rebounds before fouling out. Melton’s absence has placed a greater scoring load on Metu, McLaughlin and guard Elijah Stewart, who is averaging 12.3 points on 45.7 percent shooting.

TIP-INS

1. The winner faces the winner of the Middle Tennessee-Princeton game on Dec. 23, while the other two teams will meet the same day.

2. Akron has won at least 21 games in 12 straight seasons.

3. USC is 5-1 when outrebounding its opponent.

PREDICTION: USC 79, Akron 67