The USC Trojans and Purdue Boilermakers are set to face off on Friday at Mackey Arena. Here’s a breakdown of both teams:

USC Trojans Overview

• Recent Performance: USC recently secured a win against Michigan State but suffered a loss to Northwestern. Upcoming games include matchups against Penn State, Minnesota, and Maryland.
• Offensive Stats: The Trojans average 76.8 points per game, shooting 48.1% from the field.
• Key Players:
  • Desmond Claude: Averages 16.2 points and 4.2 assists per game.
  • Chibuzo Agbo: Contributes 11.8 points and 1.4 assists per game.
  • Wesley Yates III: Adds to the team’s scoring depth.
  • Saint Thomas: Leads with 6.3 rebounds per game.
• Shooting Efficiency: USC hits 35.3% from three-point range and 73.6% from the free-throw line.
• Defensive Stats: Allows 72.6 points per game, with opponents shooting 44.8% from the field and 31.7% from beyond the arc.

Purdue Boilermakers Overview

• Recent Performance: Purdue has been strong, defeating Iowa and Indiana. Their upcoming schedule includes games against Michigan, Wisconsin, and Michigan State.
• Offensive Stats: The Boilermakers average 78.3 points per game, with a shooting percentage of 49.5%.
• Key Players:
  • Trey Kaufman-Renn: Averages 18.7 points and 6.3 rebounds per game.
  • Braden Smith: Contributes 16.4 points and 4.7 rebounds per game.
  • Fletcher Loyer: Provides additional scoring support.
  • Daniel Jacobson: Adds depth to the roster.
• Shooting Efficiency: Purdue connects on 38.3% of their three-point attempts and 72.6% from the free-throw line.
• Defensive Stats: Allows 68.5 points per game, with opponents shooting 43.9% from the field and 31.1% from three-point range.

Injury Updates

• Purdue: Daniel Jacobsen remains sidelined due to a knee injury.
• USC: Terrance Williams II is out, while Desmond Claude and Kallai Patton are questionable for the game.

Betting Insights

• Purdue’s Home Advantage: The Boilermakers have won 31 of their last 32 games at Mackey Arena against non-AP-ranked opponents.
• USC’s Challenges: The Trojans have struggled, losing 31 of their last 37 night games against AP-ranked teams.

Prediction

Purdue has been dominant recently, winning nine of their last ten games and boasting an impressive home record of 11-1. Their potent offense makes them formidable, especially on their home court. While USC has demonstrated potential with notable victories, their inconsistency raises concerns. Given these factors, Purdue is favored to win this matchup.