The Purdue Boilermakers take on the USC Trojans in Los Angeles, CA. Tip-off is set for 6 p.m. ET on Peacock.
Purdue is favored by 7.5 points on the spread with a moneyline of -370. The total is set at 154.5 points.
Here’s my Purdue vs. USC predictions and college basketball picks for January 17, 2026.
Purdue vs USC Prediction
My Pick: USC +7.5 (Play to +7)
My Purdue vs USC best bet is on the Trojans to cover the spread. For all of your college basketball bets, be sure to find the best lines by using our live NCAAB odds page.
Purdue vs. USC Odds
| Purdue Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
-7.5 -115 | 154.5 -110 / -110 | -370 |
| USC Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
+7.5 -105 | 154.5 -110 / -110 | +290 |
- Purdue vs USC spread: Purdue -7.5
- Purdue vs USC over/under: 154.5 points
- Purdue vs USC moneyline: Purdue -370, USC +290
Purdue vs USC College Basketball Betting Preview
Purdue Basketball
The fifth-best team in the land heads to Southern California to face the Trojans. Luckily for the Boilermakers, they escaped a late start time, as their game on the West Coast is going to be played at 6 p.m. ET. That's a slight advantage considering the typical start time for those West Coast games are about 10-11 p.m. ET.
Pound for pound, this Purdue team will most likely out-class the Trojans. With a record of 16-1, the Boilermaker have flown mostly under the radar — and they’ve done it in subtle ways.
This is a different team than the Zach Edey days, as the focal point of their offense comes in the backcourt.
The Boilermakers play a controlled tempo, checking in outside the top 250 in adjusted tempo.
This offense is run by Braden Smith, a veteran floor general who guides the Boilermakers to a well balanced offense.
USC Basketball
The Trojans come into a home matchup against Purdue with just three losses. They've been a hard read of sorts, as they’ve been able to beat inferior opponents rather easily while struggling in big moments against superior teams.
Once ranked 24th in the nation, they suffered an eight-point home loss to Washington on their home court. They haven't re-entered the rankings since, and now they're without one of their top scoring threats, Maryland transfer Rodney Rice.
Chad Baker-Mazara is left to contribute the bulk of the scoring, but it’s the lack of a true No. 2 that's slowed down this team in big moments.
The tempo that the Trojans play at will be a big contrast to what Purdue will try to do. The Trojans will try to play up-tempo and make Purdue uncomfortable.
Purdue vs. USC Betting Analysis
The Trojans are getting 8.5 points, and I like them in this spot.
This seems like it could be a sleepy spot for the Boilermakers on the road, especially with the time difference.
This is a team that hasn't won by more than eight points in three straight, and two of those games were against Washington State and Penn State, two very mediocre teams.
I like Baker-Mazara to keep the Trojans in this game.
My Pick: USC +7.5 (Play to +7)
