Purdue Boilermakers vs USC Trojans Picks and Predictions for Saturday, January 17, 2026
Use Code WWWC The Purdue Boilermakers return to the road Saturday afternoon with a game in Los Angeles, CA, at 6:00 PM against the USC Trojans, and we have you ready to roll with our Purdue vs USC prediction. Purdue is the #5-ranked team in the nation coming into Saturday with sixteen wins and one loss this season. The USC Trojans stay home Saturday afternoon with fourteen wins and three losses overall this year, following a double-digit victory against Maryland in their last outing. Purdue comes into Saturday rolling on a long winning streak after a seven-point home victory against Iowa last time out. The USC Trojans come into Saturday having won three of the last five, including two in a row, following their 17th victory over Maryland in their last outing. Read more about this Purdue vs USC prediction! Struggling with handicapping? Try our NCAAB Predictions!
Purdue tries to keep it rolling
The Purdue offense has been the team's biggest strength this season, averaging 86 points while shooting 52% from the field. Defensively, Purdue has been just as stout, holding opponents to 68.3 points per game this season through 17 games played. The Purdue defense did the work in their last outing, allowing 72 points as Iowa shot 53% from the floor. Purdue won the rebounding battle by three and forced 13 turnovers to seal the victory. Offensively, Purdue scored 79 points, including 48 in the second half, to erase a three-point halftime deficit on 53% from the floor and 43% from beyond the arc. Braden Smith led the way for the Purdue offense with 16 points on nine shots. Trey Kaufman-Renn chipped in 12 points on ten shots in 23 minutes, and Fletcher Loyer added a third-best 11 points on seven shots. Big man Oscar Cluff poured in 10 points in 22 minutes as the 4th starter in double digits.
Braden Smith leads the Purdue offense this season, averaging 14.2 points and 9.6 assists per game. Fletcher Loyer is second on the roster, averaging 13.8 points, while big man Oscar Cluff averages a fourth-best 11.8 points per game. Trey Kaufman-Renn is third on the team this season, averaging 13.2 points to go along with the team-leading 9.5 rebounds per game. CJ Cox is the fifth leading scorer for Purdue this season, averaging 8.8 points in just over 23 minutes per game.
Key Injury Report for Purdue:
- None
USC looks for Quad 1 win
The USC offense has been fantastic this season, averaging 84.5 points per game while shooting 48% from the floor. Defensively, USC is allowing 76.2 points per game this season and has given up an average of 67.6 points per game over its last three wins. Defensively, USC was great in its last game, allowing 71 points on 44% shooting from the floor. Offensively, USC rolled, scoring 88 points, including 46 in the second half, on 52% shooting from the floor, and the Trojans knocked down 8 triples in the game. USC won the rebounding battle by 9 and forced 12 turnovers to seal the victory. Ezra Ausar and Jacob Cofie led the way for the USC starters last time out, scoring 12 points apiece. Gabe Dynes was the third leading scorer in the starting rotation with ten point on six shots in 21 minutes. Jordan Marsh led all scorers for USC, pouring in 20 points on 14 shots and 24 minutes off the bench.
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Chad Baker-Mazara leads the USC offense this season with 19.1 points and 3.2 assists per game. Rodney Rice has averaged 20.3 points per game this season for the Trojans, but has played just six times. Ezra Ausar averages a third-best 16.4 points per game this season. Big man Jacob Cofie averages 9.8 points along with the team-leading 6.4 rebounds per game. Amarion Dickerson has averaged 4.6 points in 21.6 minutes per game this season for USC, but has played in just 8 total games.
Key Injury Report for USC:
- Amarion Dickerson (Out) - Hip
- Rodney Rice (Out) - Shoulder
- Alijah Arenas (Out) - Knee
Purdue vs USC Pick
Purdue vs USC Spread Pick
- Purdue
Both teams are playing good basketball coming into Saturday, but Purdue is the better team. The Boilermakers are better on both sides of the ball and have the depth and talent all over the floor. Look for Purdue to continue their winning ways Saturday afternoon as it gets another conference victory. The Boilermakers will look to keep their top spot in the conference with another conference road win on Saturday. Purdue will stay undefeated in Big Ten play and pick up its 17th victory of the season Saturday afternoon in Los Angeles, following the win and cover against USC.
Purdue vs USC Over/Under Pick
- Under
Both teams scored the ball well coming into Saturday, but Purdue is a defensive-minded team. Look for the Boilermakers to play at their pace and control this game from the onset. Expect Purdue to get what it wants constantly throughout this game, leading to the victory. Take the Boilermakers and get enough stops against a good USC team to force this total under the number Saturday night out West.
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