Checking your phone every five minutes to see what is the score to the USC game is a ritual for most of us in Los Angeles—or anywhere else the Cardinal and Gold pride runs deep. Right now, as of Saturday, January 17, 2026, the energy is centered squarely on the Galen Center.
The USC Men’s Basketball team is currently locked in a high-stakes battle against the No. 5 Purdue Boilermakers. If you are looking for the live digit-by-digit update, the game tipped off at 6:00 PM EST (3:00 PM PT). Because this is live sports, the number on the scoreboard is shifting every few seconds, but the context of this game is what really matters for the Trojans' season trajectory.
The Men's Matchup: USC vs. Purdue
Honestly, this isn't just another Big Ten game. It's a massive litmus test for Eric Musselman’s squad. Entering tonight, USC sits at 10-7 overall with a 2-4 record in conference play. Coming off a dominant 88-71 win over Maryland on Tuesday, the Trojans are trying to prove that their overtime gutsiness against Minnesota wasn't a fluke.
Purdue is, well, Purdue. They are a top-5 powerhouse for a reason. Watching the Trojans try to neutralize a team of that caliber requires more than just hot shooting; it requires discipline in the paint. If you’re tracking the score, keep an eye on the turnover margin. That’s usually where USC either builds a lead or lets it slip away.
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Looking Back: What Happened Earlier Today?
It wasn't just basketball on the menu for USC sports fans today. Earlier this morning, the news broke about the #5 USC Men’s Volleyball team. They played late Friday night against #18 Princeton, and it was a bit of a rollercoaster.
USC ended up taking the match 3-1.
- Set 1: 25-17 (USC)
- Set 2: 20-25 (Princeton)
- Set 3: 26-24 (USC)
- Set 4: 25-18 (USC)
It was a gritty performance. Princeton actually fought back to tie it in the second set, but the Trojans' depth eventually wore them down. If you're wondering about the "score" in a broader sense for the university's athletic department today, that win definitely set a winning tone for the weekend.
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The Women of Troy: Sunday’s Big Game
Don't get confused if you see highlights of Kara Dunn or JuJu Watkins floating around today. The USC Women’s Basketball team doesn't play today, Saturday. They are scheduled to face off against Purdue tomorrow, Sunday, January 18, at 2:00 PM PT.
They are coming off a tough stretch, most recently a 62-55 loss to Maryland where Kara Dunn put up 21 points but the team just couldn't find their rhythm late in the fourth. They’re currently 10-6 and desperate to snap a losing skid that included a lopsided affair against UCLA earlier this month.
How to Find the Score Right Now
If you are currently driving or stuck at work and need the absolute latest live bucket-by-bucket update for the men's game vs. Purdue, here is where you should look:
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- The Official USC Gameday App: This is usually the fastest, as it pulls directly from the stat crew at the Galen Center.
- ESPN Gamecast: Kinda the gold standard for visual shot charts if you can't watch the broadcast.
- Radio: Tune into ESPN LA 710 if you want the play-by-play with that local flair.
Why This Score Matters for the Tournament
Basically, USC is on the bubble. Every win against a ranked opponent like Purdue acts like a "Quad 1" boost for their resume. A win tonight doesn't just mean a higher number on the scoreboard; it means a legitimate path to the NCAA Tournament in March.
The Big Ten has been brutal this year. Losses to Michigan and Michigan State earlier in January showed the growing pains of moving to a new conference, but the recent win over Maryland suggests the chemistry is finally clicking.
Actionable Steps for Fans:
- Verify the Sport: Ensure you aren't looking at the Women's schedule if you're searching on Saturday; their Purdue game is tomorrow.
- Check the Broadcast: The Men's game tonight is a national draw; check your local listings for Fox Sports or Big Ten Network.
- Follow Live Stats: If the video stream is lagging, the Sidearm Stats page on the USC Athletics website is the "source of truth" for official scoring.
- Plan for Tomorrow: If you're a fan of the Women of Troy, set your alerts for 2:00 PM Sunday to see if they can get revenge on the Big Ten.