No. 7 Purdue Aims to Extend Win Streak Against USC

Riding a wave of momentum, No. 7 Purdue looks to continue its dominant stretch when it hosts Southern California in a Big Ten showdown on Friday night in West Lafayette, Ind. The Boilermakers have been surging, while the Trojans seek another upset over a ranked opponent despite dealing with key injuries.

Purdue’s Offensive Firepower Keeps Rolling

The Boilermakers (18-5, 10-2 Big Ten) are in top form, winning three straight games and 10 of their last 11. Their latest victory, a 90-81 road win over Iowa on Tuesday, showcased their offensive depth as they poured in 54 second-half points to secure the win.

Braden Smith and Trey Kaufman-Renn led the charge, scoring 31 and 25 points, respectively. Their dynamic inside-outside partnership has been the backbone of Purdue’s success this season.

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Kaufman-Renn, the team’s leading scorer at 18.7 points per game, provides a strong presence in the paint, while Smith, averaging 16.4 points and 8.6 assists per game, orchestrates the offense at an elite level. Smith currently ranks third in Division I in assists per game, although his four against Iowa marked a season low.

“My job as the point guard is to get us into offense,” Smith said after the win. “Go get mine or go get someone else a shot and help them.”

With Michigan State suffering back-to-back losses on the West Coast, Purdue now holds sole possession of first place in the Big Ten. But with a challenging stretch ahead—including upcoming games against Wisconsin, Michigan, and Michigan State—the Boilermakers cannot afford to look past USC.

USC’s Tough Road Test Amid Injury Concerns

The Trojans (13-9, 5-6) have been inconsistent this season but have proven capable of knocking off top-tier teams. They defeated then-No. 13 Illinois on the road on Jan. 11 and handed Michigan State its first Big Ten loss last Saturday in a gritty 70-64 win.

A major reason for those victories was the stellar play of Desmond Claude, who erupted for 31 points against Illinois and added 19 points and six rebounds against Michigan State. However, Claude sustained a knee injury in the Michigan State win and was forced to miss Tuesday’s game at Northwestern.

Without Claude, USC struggled offensively and fell behind by as many as 15 points in the second half. However, a furious late-game rally nearly sent the game into overtime. Clark Slajchert stepped up with a season-high 24 points, including a clutch four-point play in the final seconds that tied the game at 75-75.

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Head coach Eric Musselman praised Slajchert’s offensive instincts, recalling why USC recruited him.

“We recruited him because of his offensive ability,” Musselman said. “He scored 20 points against us at Arkansas when he was a freshman, and he had a huge game against Kentucky last season. We showed our team his highlights before the game to help build his confidence, not only in himself but also in the team.”

With Claude’s status uncertain, USC may need another big performance from Slajchert to stay competitive.

Key Matchups and Factors to Watch

• Purdue’s Rebounding Dominance vs. USC’s Interior Play – The Trojans struggled on the glass against Northwestern, getting outrebounded 43-27. Purdue, which allows just 31.5 rebounds per game (32nd in the nation), could exploit this weakness.
• USC’s Secondary Scorers – If Claude remains sidelined, the Trojans will need more production from Saint Thomas, who had eight assists but only four points in the loss to Northwestern. Thomas averages 10.6 points per game and will be crucial in USC’s offensive attack.
• Can USC Slow Down Smith and Kaufman-Renn? – The Boilermakers’ star duo has been nearly unstoppable. If USC’s defense can’t contain them, Purdue could run away with this game early.

With Purdue riding high and USC searching for stability, Friday’s matchup presents a contrast in momentum. The Boilermakers are surging toward a deep postseason run, while the Trojans hope to overcome adversity and claim another upset victory. If USC can find offensive firepower without Claude, they could make things interesting—but Purdue’s firepower and home-court advantage make them the heavy favorites.