No. 7 Purdue Prepares for USC After Key Win Over Iowa

Purdue, led by Braden Smith and Trey Kaufman-Renn, extends its Big Ten lead ahead of a challenging schedule.

Purdue defeated Iowa 90-81 on Tuesday, improving to 18-5 overall and 10-2 in Big Ten play, securing sole possession of first place in the conference.
Braden Smith scored 31 points and Trey Kaufman-Renn added 25, continuing their strong performances as Purdue's leading scorers this season.
Purdue's offense surged in the second half, including a 17-5 run sparked by back-to-back three-pointers from Smith and Fletcher Loyer, shooting 55% overall for the game.
USC, Purdue's next opponent on Friday, has momentum from recent wins over ranked teams but faces uncertainty with star Desmond Claude's knee injury.
Purdue's upcoming schedule includes three consecutive games against ranked Big Ten opponents, making Friday's matchup a key test of their consistency.