The Purdue Boilermakers and USC Trojans meet on Thursday in college basketball action at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. Here’s a Purdue vs USC prediction. This article will include a Purdue vs USC Pick.
USC Trojans Betting Preview
The USC Trojans (16-16, 13-19 ATS) endured their toughest stretch of the season as they went through five consecutive defeats. The Trojans managed to avoid the sixth loss in a row with a massive win over Washington but closed out the regular season with a loss to UCLA. USC entered the Big Ten tournament as the No. 14 seed and needed two overtime to beat Rutgers in the opening round.
USC averages 77.1 PPG (102nd) and allows 75.5 PPG (285th). The Trojans are 401st in rebounds (31.3) and 72nd in assists (15.6). Desmond Claude leads the team with 16.2 PPG, 3.5 RPG, and a team-high 4.3 APG. Wesley Yates III follows him with 14.1 PPG, 2.8 RPG, and 1.2 SPG, while Chibuzo Agbo chips in 11.9 PPG, 4.5 RPG, and 1.0 SPG.
Purdue Boilermakers Betting Preview
The Purdue Boilermakers (21-10, 17-14 ATS) were also in all kinds of trouble recently. Purdue was on a four-game losing skid, their longest of the campaign but did respond with wins over UCLA and Rutgers. However, the Boilermakers lost the final game of the regular season to Illinois to finish 6th in the Big Ten Standings.
Purdue is averaging 78.3 PPG (76th) and is allowing 70.6 PPG (139th). The Boilermakers are getting 32.2 RPG (370th) and dish out 16.2 APG (46th). Trey Kaufman-Renn is the team’s top performer with 19.7 PPG, a team-high 6.1 RPG, and 2.3 APG. Braden Smith has 16.3 PPG, 4.7 RPG, a team-high 8.8 APG, and a team-high 2.3 SPG, while Fletcher Loyer contributes 14.1 PPG and 2.2 RPG.
Why Purdue will beat USC
- Purdue has won nine of its last 10 games at Gainbridge Fieldhouse against non-AP-ranked opponents.
- USC has lost seven of its last eight night games against AP-ranked opponents.
- USC has lost the first half in six of its last seven games against AP-ranked opponents at a neutral venue.
Total Points Facts
- Each of USC’s last 12 night games against the Big Ten Conference has produced a total of 151+ points.
- Each of Purdue’s last seven games against Conference opponents at Gainbridge Fieldhouse have produced a total of 147 or fewer points.
Matchup/League Facts
- Purdue ranks 10th among Division 1 teams for effective field goal percentage this season (57.0%).
- Purdue ranks 12th among Division 1 teams for true shooting percentage this season (60.4%).
- USC ranks T46th among Division 1 teams for opponent rebounds per game this season (31.9).
- USC ranks 49th among Division 1 teams for a three-point percentage this season (36.8%).
Purdue vs USC Prediction
This will be the first meeting between these teams. Although I am not impressed with the way the Boilermakers played lately, I am backing them because they are still better than USC. After playing a double-overtime last night against Rutgers, the Trojans will surely feel tired legs today. That’s a big chance for Purdue to create a distance late on, but I do believe the Boilermakers will already have a solid lead at halftime. This is not the same team that played the championship game last year, but Purdue should progress to the next round here without problems.