The storied Indiana-Purdue rivalry reaches its 2026 fever pitch tonight, February 20, as the Indiana Hoosiers travel to West Lafayette to face the No. 7 Purdue Boilermakers. Tip-off is scheduled for Friday night at Mackey Arena, where the Boilermakers are seeking redemption following an earlier season loss to the Hoosiers at Assembly Hall.
Game Preview and Key Matchups
Purdue enters the contest with a 21-5 overall record (11-4 Big Ten), looking to bounce back after a difficult week that included a home loss to Michigan. Despite recent stumbles, the Boilermakers remain a formidable force, led by the backcourt play of Braden Smith and the interior presence of Trey Kaufman-Renn.
The Indiana Hoosiers (17-9, 8-7 Big Ten) are fighting for postseason positioning. While they secured a victory in the first meeting of the season, they are coming off a tough 71-51 road loss against Illinois. Guard Lamar Wilkerson remains a focal point for the Hoosiers’ offense as they attempt to sweep the season series for the first time in recent years.
By the Numbers: Rivalry History
The historical data highlights the intensity of this “Crossroads Classic” matchup:
- All-Time Series: Purdue leads the series 128–93.
- Recent Trends: Since 2017, Purdue has dominated the head-to-head record 13-5.
- Trophy Stakes: Purdue has won 53 of the last 80 meetings, turning the tide of a rivalry Indiana dominated in the late 70s and early 80s.
- Conference Titles: Purdue holds 26 Big Ten regular-season titles compared to Indiana’s 22.
Betting Odds and Game Essentials
According to DraftKings Sportsbook, the Boilermakers are currently listed as 11.5-point favorites. The over/under is set at 150.5 points, though some betting models suggest a lower-scoring affair given both teams’ top-50 defensive rankings. Notably, Purdue has struggled against the spread at home recently, going 0-6 in their last six games at Mackey Arena.
How to Watch:
The game will be broadcast live on FOX. Fans can also stream the action via Fubo or the FOX Sports app. For those on the move, the game will be available via the Hoosier and Boilermaker radio networks.
Beyond the hardwood, the rivalry extends to the wrestling mat tonight as well, with No. 22 Purdue Wrestling visiting Bloomington to close out their dual season against Indiana.