This still may be a matchup that sounds out of place, but it’s a Big Ten battle between Purdue and USC on Saturday afternoon from Los Angeles. The Boilermakers have been playing impressive basketball all season long while the Trojans are hoping to get this season back on track and put themselves in position to be a contending team.
The lone blemish for Purdue (16-1) came against a very talented Iowa State team over a month ago. The Boilermakers have one of the best starting five’s in the entire nation and have gotten to this 6-0 start in Big Ten play. It hasn’t always come easy, surviving real challenges in recent weeks, as Iowa and Penn State shot well in particular at Mackey. Now they’ll head to the west coast, hoping to return home in an even stronger position.
Things haven’t come easy for USC (14-3) even with the talent that Eric Musselman has assembled in Los Angeles. The Trojans have dealt with injuries and inconsistencies. They had a few nice performances during an 8-0 start to the season, but a home loss to Washington in December showed that this team wasn’t a top contender. They started 2026 by losing to Michigan by 30 and Michigan State by 29, but Musselman isn’t letting his team get overwhelmed by the Boilermakers.
Purdue vs. USC: When and Where
Date: Saturday, January 17, 2026, 6:00 pm ET
Location: Galen Center in Los Angeles, California
Purdue vs. USC: Where to Watch or Stream
Watch: Peacock
Streaming: FuboTV
Purdue vs. USC: Betting Odds
Spread: Purdue Boilermakers -7.5, USC Trojans+7.5
Moneyline: Purdue Boilermakers -375, USC Trojans +295
Total: 154.5
Purdue vs. USC: Series History
All-time series: Purdue leads 5-4
Last meeting: Purdue 76, USC 71 (March 13, 2025)
Projected Starting Lineups
Purdue Boilermakers
Braden Smith (14.2 ppg, 9.6 apg)
Fletcher Loyer (13.8 ppg, 2.2 rpg)
Oscar Cluff (11.8 ppg, 8.3 rpg)
Trey Kaufman-Renn (13.2 ppg, 9.5 rpg)
C. J. Cox (8.8 ppg, 2.3 rpg)
USC Trojans
Chad Baker-Mazara (19.1 ppg, 4.5 rpg)
Ezra Ausar (16.4 ppg, 5.9 rpg)
Jacob Cofie (9.8 ppg, 6.4 rpg)
Gabe Dynes (4.1 ppg, 2.6 rpg)
Ryan Cornish (3.3 ppg, 0.9 apg)
Purdue is far less infallible than they seem even with their brilliant play of late. If USC is going to pull off this upset at home, they need Baker-Mazara playing smart basketball and for their shooters to find their touch after recent struggles. In the Boilermakers’ last few wins, hot shooting kept their opponents in those games until the very end. USC doesn’t have a playmaker like Smith running the show and it’s hard to imagine the Trojans’ defense slowing him down. If there’s a chance for the Trojans to get back on track it has to come from impeccable offensive play.
Entering as very solid favorites, does Purdue have a serious challenge ahead of them or does this strong lineup take care of business on the west coast? Will we see USC put together a more complete effort or will this be another blowout loss to a top-tier Big Ten foe?