You’re not gonna fool Mackey Arena showing up in a large wooden horse. Also, enjoy the vintage picture.
A return to home for the Boilers! USC makes their first trip to Mackey as members of the Big 10.
University of Southern California (13-9, 5-6 Big 10) – Kenpom #60
Basic Information
Location: Los Angeles, California
Type of School: Private University (I always forget that they’re a private school!)
Mascot: That Trojan Guy who is fooling nobody because they’re not from Troy. They’re from California. Liars.
Venue: Galen Center
Head Coach – Eric Musselman
Seasons at USC: 1
USC Record: 13-9
Other Head Coaching Jobs: Nevada, Arkansas, Golden State Warriors (NBA), Sacramento Kings (NBA)
Overall Collegiate Record: 231-100
Regular Season Conference Championships at USC: 0
Conference Tournament Championships at USC: 0
NCAA Appearances: 6
Final 4 Appearances : 0
Fun Facts: Musselman has made the Sweet Sixteen four times, reaching the Elite Eight twice. He is also the second former Atlanta Hawks assistant coach mentioned this season, he and Mike Woodson (eventual Hawks head coach) were very nice to me as a dumb young power forward in the Hawks’ youth program. Musselman was an assistant when Glenn Robinson was on the team, if I remember correctly. Go Boilers.
That said, I enjoy rooting against them both (no, not Big Dog, the coaches).
This man has also coached the national teams of USA, China, The Dominican Republic, and Venezuela. Interesting guy in my opinion.
Kenpom Style of Play
() = National Ranking per Kenpom
Offense
Adj. Efficiency: 115.5 (50)
Avg. Poss. Length: 17.6 (181)
Defense
Adj. Efficiency: 102.3 (89)
Avg. Poss. Length: 17.2 (109)
Tempo
Adj. Tempo: 67.5 (158)
Kenpom 4 Factors
() = National Ranking per Kenpom
Offense
Effective FG %: 54.0 (57)
Turnover %: 16.4 (110)
Off. Reb. %: 27.1 (268)
FTA/FGA: 37.9 (53)
Defense
Effective FG %: 50.6 (172)
Turnover %: 18.1 (126)
Off. Reb. %: 29.1 (141)
FTA/FGA: 34.9 (227)
Purdue sits at a predicted 87% chance of victory. Ignore this and slap it as 100% if Desmond Claude is still out. He missed the last one, a close 77-75 loss at Northwestern on Tuesday night. The 6’6” guard has played 70% of all the minutes a season has to offer until now.