Purdue Basketball Makes Program History With Lopsided Win Over USC

With Friday's 90-72 win over USC, Purdue has had six Big Ten wins by 18 points or more, setting a new program record. The Boilermakers are 11-2 in league play.
Purdue Boilermakers guard C.J. Cox (0) grabs a rebound
Purdue Boilermakers guard C.J. Cox (0) grabs a rebound | Alex Martin/Journal and Courier / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

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Purdue has enjoyed a dominant stretch of basketball through the first 13 games of the Big Ten season. On Friday night, with a 90-72 victory over USC at Mackey Arena, the seventh-ranked Boilermakers made program history.

The victory over USC marked the sixth time this season that Purdue has defeated a Big Ten opponent by 18 points or more. Per associate strategic communications director Chris Forman, that's the most in program history in a single season.

Purdue has defeated five Big Ten opponents by 18 points or more in seven seasons, including the 2022-23 and 2023-24 campaigns.

Here's the rundown of those sizable victories for the Boilermakers this season:

  • Jan. 2 — defeated Minnesota 81-61
  • Jan. 5 — defeated Northwestern 79-61
  • Jan. 9 — defeated Rutgers 68-50
  • Jan. 12 — defeated Nebraska 104-68
  • Jan. 24 — defeated Michigan 91-64
  • Feb. 7 — defeated USC 90-72

After Friday's win, Purdue improved to 11-2 in Big Ten play and sits atop the conference standings alone. The Boilermakers have a half-game lead on Michigan State and Michigan (both 10-2 in league play).

There are seven Big Ten games remaining on Purdue's schedule. Will they add any more 18-point wins to their resumé?

Related stories on Purdue basketball

WHAT PAINTER SAID: Seventh-ranked Purdue picked up another win on Friday, defeating USC 90-72. Here's everything Matt Painter said after the victory. CLICK HERE

LOYER PRAISES FURST'S TOUGHNESS: Fletcher Loyer gave a lot of credit to Caleb Furst for his success in his senior season, saying he's been a huge reason why Purdue is a "great team" right now. CLICK HERE

KAUFMAN-RENN HAS BIG NIGHT VS USC: Purdue forward Trey Kaufman-Renn scored 24 points and grabbed 10 rebounds in Purdue's 90-72 win over USC on Friday night, showing why he's one of the country's top big men. CLICK HERE


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Dustin Schutte
DUSTIN SCHUTTE

Dustin Schutte is the publisher of Purdue Boilermakers on SI and has spent more than a decade working in sports journalism. His career began in 2013, when he covered Big Ten football. He remained in that role for eight years before working at On SI to cover the Boilermakers. Dustin graduated from Manchester University in Indiana in 2010, where he played for the men's tennis team.

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