WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. – The USC Men's Basketball team is set to face off against the No. 7 Purdue Boilermakers on February 7, 2025, at 7:00 PM ET at Mackey Arena. Currently holding a record of 13-9 and struggling with their recent performance, the Trojans are eager to turn things around after suffering a narrow 77-75 loss to Northwestern last week.
Despite starting strong against Northwestern with the first two baskets, USC found themselves trailing for most of the game. It wasn't until the final moments of the match when USC made significant strides to tie the game with just 29 seconds left. Unfortunately, they could not secure the lead for victory. Clark Slajchert had an impressive outing, scoring 24 points and shooting 81.8 percent from the field, marking his first career start.
Meanwhile, the Boilermakers enter this matchup with confidence, boasting an 18-5 record and currently riding a three-game winning streak. They have proven their prowess with ten wins and only two losses during conference play. This season, Purdue has shown they can dominate both offensively and defensively, being ranked among the top teams nationally for shooting efficiency, with 49.6 percent from the field and 38.3 percent from beyond the arc.
Trey Kaufman-Renn leads the Boilermakers, averaging 18.7 points and 6.7 rebounds per game, demonstrating both scoring and rebounding ability. Braden Smith also plays a pivotal role as he dished out 8.6 assists per game, ranking among the highest nationally, alongside his impressive defense tallying 2.5 steals per game.
USC's road trip has been challenging, highlighted by reliance on players like Desmond Claude, who leads the Trojans with 16.2 points per game, and Saint Thomas, providing leadership with 4.3 assists per game. The Trojans have seen both Claude and Thomas rank among the top assist leaders within the Big Ten, making their contributions invaluable to the team's performance.
This upcoming game is particularly significant for the Trojans, marking their first encounter with Purdue since 1988, when they lost by four points on the islands of Hawaii. With stakes high, USC is determined to break their losing streak against one of the nation’s top teams.
The matchup promises to be electrifying, but for USC, it’s not just another game. It presents them with the perfect opportunity to reclaim their momentum as they face fierce competition. Fans can watch the game live on FOX Sports 1 or tune in through the USC Game Day app.
With tip-off looming, can USC rise to the challenge? The answer lies within the Trojans’ resolve as they head to West Lafayette to face the Boilermakers. The time has arrived for them to step onto the court not just to compete, but to prove they can stand toe-to-toe against the best.