Purdue looks to continue its strong play at home when it hosts USC in a Big Ten matchup on Friday. The Boilermakers enter with an 18-5 record, including 10-2 in conference play. USC is 13-9 and 5-6 in the Big Ten, trying to stay in the mix for an NCAA Tournament bid.
Purdue has won three straight games, most recently defeating Iowa 90-81 on the road. USC is coming off a tough loss at Northwestern after beating Michigan State and Illinois in back-to-back games. The Trojans will try to pull another upset, while Purdue looks to stay atop the Big Ten standings.
Purdue Preview – Can They Stay Hot at Home?
Purdue has won 10 of its last 11 games, including a strong offensive performance at Iowa. Braden Smith scored 31 points, and Trey Kaufman-Renn added 25. The duo has led Purdue all season, with Kaufman-Renn averaging 18.7 points per game and Smith adding 16.4.
Smith also plays a key role as a playmaker, ranking third in Division I with 8.6 assists per game. The Boilermakers shot well in the second half against Iowa, scoring 54 points. They will look to keep that efficiency at home, where they are 11-1 this season.
Defensively, Purdue limits opponents to 31.5 rebounds per game, ranking among the best in the country. The Boilermakers will try to take advantage of USC’s struggles on the glass. Purdue also forces turnovers, which could be a key factor in controlling the tempo.
USC Preview – Can They Pull Another Upset?
USC has already beaten two ranked teams this season, including Illinois and Michigan State. The Trojans’ leading scorer, Desmond Claude, averages 16.2 points per game but is questionable due to injury. Without him, they needed a big game from Clark Slajchert, who scored 24 points against Northwestern.
USC struggled on the boards in its last game, getting outrebounded 43-27. The Trojans will need better rebounding from players like Saint Thomas, who had eight assists but only four points against Northwestern. Purdue’s size could cause problems inside if USC does not improve in that area.
The Trojans will also need to take care of the ball against Purdue’s defense. They have struggled with turnovers at times, and Purdue has been good at forcing mistakes. If USC cannot control possessions, they will have a tough time staying in the game.
Betting Prediction
Purdue is a 14.5-point favorite at home, and the total is set at 146.5. The Boilermakers have been strong at home, winning 11 of 12 games. USC has shown the ability to compete with top teams, but they have struggled on the road.
If Claude does not play, USC could struggle to score enough to keep up with Purdue. Purdue’s offense is clicking, and they should be able to cover the spread. Expect a high-scoring game, but Purdue’s defense and rebounding edge will be the difference.
Pick: Purdue Boilermakers -14.5
Take the Boilermakers to give the folks from Southern California a rude welcome to West Lafayette in this one.
