The USC Trojans take on the Purdue Boilermakers in West Lafayette, Indiana. Tip-off is set for 7 p.m. ET on FS1.
Purdue is favored by 13.5 points on the spread with a moneyline of -1000. The total is set at 146.5 points.
Here are my USC vs. Purdue predictions and college basketball picks for February 7, 2025.
USC vs Purdue Prediction
My Pick: Purdue -12.5 (Play to -17)
My USC vs Purdue best bet is on the Boilermakers spread, with the best odds currently available at BetRivers. For all of your college basketball bets, be sure to find the best lines by using our live NCAAB odds page.
USC vs Purdue Odds
| USC Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
+13.5 -108 | 146.5 -110 / -110 | +650 |
| Purdue Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
-13.5 -112 | 146.5 -110 / -110 | -1000 |
- USC vs Purdue spread: Purdue -13.5
- USC vs Purdue over/under: 146.5 points
- USC vs Purdue moneyline: Purdue -1000, USC +650
- USC vs Purdue best bet: Purdue -12.5 (Play to -17)
Spread
I'm backing the Boilers up to -17.
Moneyline
I'm passing on the moneyline.
Over/Under
I'm passing on the total.
My Pick: Purdue -12.5 (Play to -17)
USC vs Purdue College Basketball Betting Preview
No. 7 Purdue (18-5, 10-2) appears primed for a third consecutive Big Ten regular season title. USC (13-9, 5-6) is in the middle of the pack and having an up-and-down season in the conference.
This has all the makings of a dominant home victory for the Boilermakers, as USC plays its first game at hostile Mackey Arena.
Purdue is 11-1 at home with seven double-digit victories this season, including a 91-64 rout of then-No. 21 Michigan. The Boilermakers are beating conference opponents by an average of 14.7 points at home.
Purdue is tied for No. 3 nationally with seven Quad 1 wins.
The Boilermakers will bottle up the Trojans with their stingy defense, which ranks fourth in the Big Ten in points allowed (68.5). In Purdue's last 10 games, it's allowed just 65 points per game.
Meanwhile, USC will have trouble containing junior guard Braden Smith as a facilitator and outside shooter. Smith is third in the nation in assists (8.6). His elite passing will disorient a shaky Trojans defense that's 15th in points allowed (72.6) and 14th in field goal percentage (44.6) in the Big Ten.
USC is 5-5 in its last 10 games. The Trojans haven't lost on the road by double digits since Jan. 8 at Indiana. USC followed that up with a road victory against then-No. 13 Illinois, so that inspires some hope for a close game — or even an upset.
However, the Boilermakers boast a pair of top-notch players that'll be difficult to corral.
The stellar 3-point shooting of Smith and junior forward Trey Kaufman-Renn will stretch out USC's defense and create additional scoring opportunities for the role players. KenPom currently ranks Smith third and Kaufman-Renn sixth in the National Player of the Year race.
Purdue is No. 4 nationally in efficiency (No. 8 offensively, No. 13 defensively) since January, according to Bart Torvik. Junior Desmond Claude and senior Chibuzo Agbo are a solid backcourt, but overall, USC doesn't have the firepower to combat the outstanding level of balance that Purdue has.
Also, Purdue excels in the turnover battle, as the Boilermakers are +6.60 in their last 10 games. Purdue is No. 5 nationally in defensive turnover rate (23.7) since January.
Purdue will protect the ball and home court en route to an easy victory vs. USC.
