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No. 5 Purdue Visits USC as Baker-Mazara’s Status Remains Uncertain

Purdue is favored on the road behind one of the nation’s most efficient attacks.

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WEST LAFAYETTE, INDIANA - FEBRUARY 07: Trey Kaufman-Renn #4 of the Purdue Boilermakers rebounds the ball against the USC Trojans during the second half at Mackey Arena on February 07, 2025 in West Lafayette, Indiana. (Photo by Justin Casterline/Getty Images)
Purdue guard Braden Smith (3) high-fives head coach Matt Painter, left, after forcing a turnover against Iowa during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game in West Lafayette, Ind., Wednesday, Jan. 14, 2026. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
USC guard Kara Dunn (25) shoots against UCLA center Lauren Betts (51) during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game, Saturday, Jan. 3, 2026, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Jessie Alcheh)

Overview

  • Tipoff is Saturday at 6 p.m. ET at the Galen Center, with streaming on Peacock.
  • Purdue enters 16-1 overall and 6-0 in Big Ten play after an eight-game win streak capped by a 79-72 comeback over Iowa.
  • USC leading scorer Chad Baker-Mazara is questionable after a neck issue limited him to single-digit minutes against Maryland, according to Eric Musselman.
  • Five-star freshman Alijah Arenas is still not expected to make his debut this week as he continues recovery from offseason meniscus surgery.
  • This is Purdue’s first visit to the Galen Center after winning both matchups last season, with previews highlighting the Boilermakers’ elite efficiency, assist rate and bench production as potential difference-makers.