This season has revealed that the Big Ten has a number of very talented programs once again though the eyes of the conference will certainly be on this matchup. A red-hot Illinois squad heads to Purdue for a highly-anticipated Top 12 matchup in West Lafayette in a game that both teams desperately seek to remain near the top of the league standings.
All things considered, Illinois (16-3) is doing really well this season, currently riding an 8-game winning streak. Things aren’t perfect for Brad Underwood’s squad, as they recent lost starter Kylan Boswell for the next month due to a hand injury. Even without one of their top guards, the Illini still knocked off Maryland on Wednesday and improved to 7-1 in league play, with their offense continuing to play at a high level this season.
In recent weeks Purdue (17-2) was riding their own hot streak, but that came to a swift end earlier this week. The Boilermakers had been perfect in the Big Ten before a stunning loss at UCLA thanks to a late collapse. Regardless, Matt Painter isn’t going to let one lousy ending derail Purdue’s great season and they’ll be ready to play back at home with their full compliment of talent.
Illinois vs. Purdue: When and Where
Date: Saturday, January 24, 2026, 3:00 pm ET
Location: Mackey Arena in West Lafayette, Indiana
Illinois vs. Purdue: Where to Watch or Stream
Watch: FOX
Streaming: FuboTV
Illinois vs. Purdue: Betting Odds
Spread: Purdue -2.5, Illinois +2.5
Moneyline: Purdue -145, Illinois +125
Total: 150.5
Illinois vs. Purdue: Series History
All-time series: Purdue leads 107-91
Last meeting: Illinois 88, Purdue 80 (March 7, 2025)
Projected Starting Lineups
Illinois Fighting Illini
Keaton Wagler (15.9 ppg, 5.2 rpg, 4.0 apg)
Andrej Stojakovic (14.4 ppg, 4.6 rpg)
David Mirkovic (12.2 ppg, 8.4 rpg)
Tomislav Ivisic (10.4 ppg, 4.9 rpg)
Jake Davis (4.6 ppg, 1.7 rpg)
Purdue Boilermakers
Braden Smith (14.5 ppg, 3.7 rpg, 9.1 apg)
Fletcher Loyer (13.0 ppg, 2.2 rpg)
Oscar Cluff (11.9 ppg, 7.9 rpg)
Trey Kaufman-Renn (12.5 ppg, 8.9 rpg)
C. J. Cox (8.8 ppg, 2.4 rpg)
The Fighting Illini may have handled Maryland earlier this week but beating Purdue without Boswell available is a different animal. Illinois will have to find ways to limit Smith’s ability to control the game on multiple levels, both setting up those outside shooters as well as Kaufmann-Renn and Cluff in the paint. The Boilermakers will hope to dominate the glass, meaning Illinois really needs Ivisic and his twin brother to show up in a major way. Coming off a loss, Purdue needs an inspired performance against this top team to show that they’re still one of the teams to beat in this electric conference.
Can Illinois find a way to pull off this road win without their full lineup because of that brilliant offense? Does the frontcourt of Purdue bully their way to a comeback win or does Smith have himself another impressive performance?